What’s Cooking Kids?

The recipe book is open, our hands are washed and the oven is on…

What’s Cooking, Kids? develops the learning of children aged 8 to 11 around healthy food, diet and nutrition and is creating the first-ever network of Community and Young Food Leaders across the North East of England, this scheme offers endless possibilities to engage the local community and to learn skills that will be practical throughout the daily lives of children, while having fun! The groups are being established by learning charity ContinYou in partnership with the Big lottery, Public Heath North east, each of the 12 local authorities and the Strategic Health Authority in the region. There are currently 13 groups in Stockton, which is specifically for children with special needs, and Durham. The ultimate aim is to establish more than 200 new food, cooking and healthy living focused groups.

Free training and funding are available to help each Community Food Leader to develop their What’s Cooking, Kids? clubs. Training for Community Food Leaders has taken place in the last two weeks and will bring the total CFL's who are trained and ready to start What's Cooking Kids? groups to 38. We

are expecting each community food leader to complete at least 2 WCK? groups each.

There are plans to start training in Northumberland very soon also (potentially a further 15 CFL'S).

With the help of the newly trained CFL's I am looking to establish a group of teenagers to be our Young Food Leaders. The peer tutor group are to also receive some training and support to enable them to work with the younger children. 

Case study

Katie a Parent Support Advisor has volunteered to be a Community Food Leader and has received training and support to enable her to set-up the group. She said: “Cookery skills are only one of the many outcomes that the kids are learning” Katie Neil went on to say “The youngsters are aged between 8 and 11 and most of them did not know each other before they met at the What’s Cooking Kids? Group. They are building self confidence, making new friends and learning important life skills.”

Katie has also gained help from Lisa Armstrong a school cook from a local primary school and Fliss Chesters a Parent Support Advisor.

The children are learning what the ‘5 a day’ initiative really looks like and enjoying the ‘fruits’ of their labour. Following hard work in the morning preparing the food and setting the dinning table the children all enjoyed lunch together. Home made coronation chicken wraps with salad and jacket potatoes followed by sliced fruits for dessert.

The young people are having fun learning even though it is the school holidays. Well done to the whole group for creating a fantastic, fun learning experience.