Tasting the Difference!

This term five schools in the Whitehaven area are working with John Crouch a professional chef, and one of our Creative Ambassadors. He is helping children and their families to enjoy cooking and tasting traditional dishes from different countries. These ‘Family Learning Programmes’ are part of the Action Research Pilot Project that Creative Futures Cumbria is undertaking to find ways to encourage families to enjoy creative activities together and introduce them to different cultural experiences. They have been supported by funding from Extended Schools Services.

St. Gregory’s and St. Patrick’s Catholic Community School have linked with St. Begh’s Junior School to develop a whole school project about Italy. Following a day where John worked with different groups of children, they and their families were invited to return to school in the evening where John showed them how to cook ‘Bean and Pasta Soup’ and ‘Lemon Profiteroles’. Everyone was given samples to taste, which even the very young children who came along, thought were delicious. The soup was particularly enjoyed and several children asked for more. ”I really enjoyed the soup” said Daniel,”and I am going to make it for my nanny.” Another family said that they were looking forward to trying the recipes at home and experimenting with making profiteroles with different fillings.

John reminded them about eating ‘five fruit and vegetables a day’ and told them more about the vegetables and fruits that were used in these dishes and interesting stories about other Italian foods. Did you know that Pizza Marguerita was originally named after the Italian Queen Marguerita because it contains the three colours of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, the green leaves of the Basil herb and white bread?

The other schools are focusing on :
Monkwray Primary School : France;
Lowca Primary School : Indonesia;
Kells Infant School : Greece, Poland and other European countries.

Through other creative activities children will be learning more about the cultural traditions of these countries.

The schools will be holding a Celebration Evening on 30th June at St. Gregory’s and St Patricks School ‘Chill Out Zone’ where they will be displaying their work and providing tasters of the food that they have learnt how to cook . Families, friends and special guests will be invited to come along during the evening ..
Ooh la la! Yum Yum!