Over 140 children from the Te Aramoana Syndicate at Waikanae School had a chance to see a chef at work and taste some unusual food combinations when chef Chris Fortune visited Waikanae School last Wednesday.
The programme called KIDS CAN COOK KITCHEN has visited over 140 primary, intermediate and secondary schools throughout New Zealand.
Chris describes the programme as an extension of Enviro Schools and School Edible Gardens, creating a link between school gardens, the classroom and into homes.
Waikanae School’s Envirocentre garden, run by the children, has been growing vegetables and other plants for several years, and so fitted well with the message that Chris presented which encouraged children to give vegetables a go. The vision for the programme is “A Community of Kids Feeding Themselves”
Chris talked about what is growing in the school garden, and asked about what is growing in gardens at home. Children heard about gluten commonly found in biscuits, cakes and sandwiches, and he added an international flavour speaking about French Food, Italian Food and New Zealand Kai Hokey-Pokey Ice-cream, Roast Lamb, Angus Beef, Marmite, Weetbix, Apples, and Pineapple lumps.
There were lots of willing helpers and plenty of offers to be taste testers. One child in each class acted in the role of Sous chef while all the other children had the opportunity to be tasters. Chris congratulated the children on their positive ‘give-it-a-go’ attitude saying, “You guys were great and I loved the way you just got stuck in…I was so impressed. Waikanae Primary School, you truly are remarkable as you all got up and gave it a go on the Kids Can Cook Kitchen. A great school, a great community and teachers sowing the seeds for our future young citizens of New Zealand.”
A video of Chris can be seen using the link www.marketground.co.nz/waikanaeprimary/videos
