Dame Prue Leith and Delia Smith explain why cooking should be taught in schools
Three of the culinary world’s best-known names – Dame Prue Leith, Delia Smith and Stanley Tucci – are leading a campaign to ensure children learn to cook from their first day at primary school.
The esteemed trio presented their impassioned defense to Parliament on Thursday, arguing that practical, hands-on cooking classes are crucial to developing students’ culinary skills, essential life skills and a basic understanding of healthy eating.
They are calling on the government to implement measures guaranteeing four-year-olds regular practical cooking lessons from the start of their schooling.
The move comes amid concerns that the removal of private cooking facilities from schools has relegated hands-on cooking to an infrequent activity, usually undertaken only when schedules permit.
Old Great British Bake Off The judge, who founded the Leiths cookery school in 1975, said: “The best way to create the healthiest generation of children in history is to ensure they have the skills to cook healthy meals from scratch.
“Practical cooking in primary schools gives children these skills, as well as confidence and curiosity about cooking at home, opening up countless opportunities for their health, education and future.”
Leiths has previously announced its commitment to teaching cooking to every child in state primary schools in the UK through new, free, video cookery education resources.
Free resources offer every child the opportunity to learn how to cook nutritious food from scratch by the time they graduate from primary school.
Smith, who has sold more than 20 million cookbooks during her 50 years in the industry, said: “One thing I’ve tried to do in my career is take away the fear of cooking, because people can’t cook unless someone shows them how.
“In order to be self-confident in the kitchen, cooking lessons should be started at an early age, in primary school, when children are naturally curious and want to be creative.
“When a child learns to cook a simple meal, he or she is learning much more than just the recipe.
“They’re learning about nutrition, where food comes from, self-sufficiency. They’re learning that they can feed themselves properly, which is one of the most empowering things we can teach.”
Hollywood actor Tucci, who has become a successful food writer in recent years, said: “As a passionate food enthusiast, I try to instill the same passion in my children.
“That’s why we cook a lot together and make sharing meals a priority as a family. It seems like a failure of our education system that so many children leave school without the skills to cook delicious, healthy meals from scratch.”
“When children don’t learn to cook, they miss out on basic skills as well as some of life’s greatest joys and pleasures.
“A passion for food and cooking, an understanding of ingredients and nutrition – these are all essential to raising happy, independent, cheerful, healthy children and future adults.”
Research by Leiths has found that three quarters (75%) of primary school pupils do not take regular cookery classes, despite Government guidance that a diet based on natural ingredients and cooked from scratch is linked to positive health outcomes for children and adults.
A Government spokesman said: “Every child deserves the best possible start in life and we are taking decisive action to tackle childhood obesity.
“Children are already taught science, design and technology from primary school onwards, as well as the importance of healthy nutrition at RSHE.
“We have taken the historic step of offering free school meals to every child in a family receiving universal credit and are introducing free breakfast clubs to ensure children start the day with a healthy meal and are ready to learn.”
