THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
There are so many charities, and we are continually canvassed with solicitations to donate or get involved. This one does simply what it says – bringing chefs into schools, overhauling unsatisfactory school meals, and offering nutritious, economical meals (for an average £2.42 per child) to children that possibly would not eat well. This charity changes children's lives daily with the immediacy of a hot, nutritious meal.
I was humbled learning that Chefs in Schools are in 160 schools and have rolled out millions of meals. Many schools also now farm their own food, empowering the children to grow and harvest produce.
I was introduced to Chefs in Schools as they celebrated their five year anniversary with an event at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School. Food stations were offering dishes by enthusiastic chefs, one of whom left a Michelin stared restaurant to participate. I sampled salmon and rice and delicious chickpeas, uncomplicated recipes with delectable flavors and spices that I immediately wanted to learn how to prepare. Parents at the schools are often invited in for demonstrations and to learn, because let's face it, not everyone can cook well.
Quality food in schools in the UK is not prioritized nor is it on the political agenda, a gross oversight as quality can be astoundingly poor in many schools. With the NHS struggling to combat obesity, it seems elemental that starting in school lunch rooms is a pathway to better health. Wake up government ministers and listen to people like the charismatic Henry Dimbleby co-founder of Leon Restaurants and founder of the Sustainable Restaurant Association. He went onto Twitter asking if any chefs would be keen to take over the kitchen at his children's school and he received an immediate response from co-founder Nicole Pisani who was head chef at Nopi restaurant Soho. A partnership was formed.
In schools, children are a captive, opened minded audience and food gives a brilliant access to a child's imagination. Wouldn't you like your child to learn how to prepare a healthy meal? Bring back cooking in schools, it is one the most practical creative skills!
And as Maya Angelou said, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."
Serving it Up
Chefs Prue Leith and Yotam Ottolenghi, and Food Editor for the Sunday Times Lisa Markwell, are charity patrons.
Feed Your Family – Chefs In Schools' cookbook offers recipes tested by thousands of the children in schools. Available at Amazon, Hive, Bookshop.
Get in there – They're always looking for volunteers, go to www.chefsinschools.org.uk
