Last week (June 25) school chefs from 12 schools across the county celebrated graduating from a course delivered by charity, Chefs in Schools, highlighting the vital role school food plays in children’s health, learning and long-term wellbeing.
Good nutrition in childhood is fundamental, supporting concentration, attainment and healthy growth, while helping to establish lifelong eating habits. Schools are uniquely placed to influence this through the meals they provide every day.
The eight-week Chefs in Schools course, funded via Worcestershire County Council’s Public Health Team, brought together chefs from first, primary, middle and secondary schools to build on their skills and confidence.
It focused on practical ways to increase vegetable consumption, develop appealing and nutritious menus, and prepare for the proposed updates to national school food standards. These expected changes are likely to place greater emphasis on reducing sugar, increasing fibre and fruit and vegetable content, and improving the overall nutritional quality of school meals.
At the graduation event, chefs showcased a range of tasty, low-sugar high fibre dishes designed to appeal to pupils while meeting higher nutritional standards.
Sharon, chef at Blackwell First School, said: “It’s been great to work with like-minded people who all want to do the best for children’s health.”
Jess Kopp, Chef Trainer for the programme, added: “School chefs are an incredible talent, and this has shown through in the meals they have prepared today and every day.”
Schools play an important role in shaping children’s eating habits, and this grant has helped strengthen that role by giving catering teams the tools and confidence to make small, sustainable changes. Staff report that the approach is helping to encourage pupils to try new foods and build healthier habits that can support their wellbeing and learning.
Find out more about Chefs in Schools and their work with school kitchen teams: www.chefsinschools.org.uk