COOKS AND KIDS COME UP WITH THE INGREDIENTS FOR A FIRST IN PUBLISHING

Take 11 top chefs, a bevy of enthusiastic youngsters, some tasty ingredients, mix together and you have Cooks and Kids – a new recipe and nutrition book for children and teenagers that will be out this autumn.

Cooks and Kids is the brainchild of the National Fostering Agency (NFA), one of the most experienced and long established fostering agencies in the United Kingdom. The aim of the book is to improve children’s knowledge and understanding of nutrition and healthy eating, while at the same time having plenty of fun. The NFA is also highlighting the crucial need to encourage more people to come forward as foster carers.

Among the leading chefs taking part in the project are Lisa Allen, from BBC Two’s Great British Menu; Tom Kerridge, a regular on the Good Food Channel’s Market Kitchen; and leading Indian cuisine chef Atul Kochhar.

Royalties from the sale of Cooks and Kids will be going to Magic Breakfast, a food charity ensuring children get a nutritious start to the day by providing breakfasts to more than 5,000 children at schools in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and Rotherham.

Andrew Isaac, Marketing Director of the NFA, said: “Cooks and Kids was born out of a passion for food and a fun way to engage children and young people in all the wonderful tastes and combinations you can find on a plate. We were determined to engage and encourage young people to think about food, what is good for them and more importantly to have a go at actually preparing something to eat. Their recipes were wonderful and the chefs helped to hone them to perfection.”

One of the participating chefs, Atul Kochhar said: “Cooks and Kids is a great opportunity to encourage children to get involved in cooking and help raise awareness about the importance of nutrition. I am thrilled to be able to provide my recipe for this cause.”

The pictures contained in the 96 pages of Cooks & Kids clearly demonstrate the fun that was had by children and chefs alike. Among the tasty recipes are Macie’s fairy cakes, Rebecca’s Dahl and Almonds, Alyssa’s dairy free apricot rock cakes and Dylan’s Sunday leftovers Risotto.

Andrew Isaac added: “I must say a sincere ‘thank you’ to John Woodward, Executive Head Chef for de Vere Hotels and Venues, who helped sort the recipes into a practical and workable series of dishes that could become part of a cookbook for kids and by kids. De Vere kindly hosted the photo shoots and John and his team of award winning chefs set about pairing up with the youngsters and creating a series of dishes the youngsters would be asked to prepare in addition to their own recipe.

“This was definitely a surprise for many of those taking part. In all honesty I have never seen such fun had by so many for such a long time - and the resultant food was amazing.”

Cooks and Kids, published by Graffeg, will be in the shops and available from online retailers 31st October, priced at £9.99. Further details can be found at www.cooksandkids.com

The National Fostering Agency is one of the largest independent fostering Agencies in the UK, working closely with local authorities to provide safe and secure placements for over 1,700 children and young people. More details can be found at www.nfa.ws

Magic Breakfast delivers free, healthy breakfast foods to UK primary schools with more than 50% free school meals. As a hungry child is often unable to concentrate in class, Magic Breakfast provides a healthy breakfast to 6,000 children each morning, as essential fuel for learning. This improves child attendance, punctuality, concentration and behaviour. The cost is just 22p per day.  www.magicbreakfast.com