Submitted by Tim Capper - February 03, 2008
Government has announced compulsory lessons in cooking healthy meals under plans to combat obesity. Schools Secretary Ed Balls is asking the public to suggest ideas for the classic English and world dishes that all pupils should learn to cook. As a Chef I Applaud the idea but in practical terms Ed's got it all wrong. Many schools do not have the facilities to implement this plan and finding the teachers for these classes would be a Turkey Twizzler affair. The thought of asking the public to suggest ideas of which dishes the pupils should learn how to cook will split mayonnaise, you only need to look at the shelf space dedicated to ready meals to realize that the public has forgotten how to cook. The classes should start with basic cooking methods; this would empower the children with the knowledge to produce any recipe rather than a few publicly chosen ones.
Teaching Basic cooking methods will provide the pupil with the skill to decide which cooking method to use in order to achieve a healthier diet and the knowledge to continue cooking throughout their lives.
In concentrating on these fundamental core principles of cooking we achieve sustainability for cooking, not another whimsical plan by a Chargrilled government.
Man Dip, SACA, AHMA, CWA www.ChefsWorld.net tim@chefsworld.net 07789 901 268
