Young rugby players get on the Cooking Bus at RAF St Athan.
Young rugby players get on the Cooking Bus at RAF St Athan.
The Welsh Assembly Government Cooking Bus rolled into RAF St Athan this month where qualified food teachers gave pupils, teachers and the community a taste of quality cooking.
The Cooking Bus, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, is run by The
Focus on Food Campaign, the leading organization to support the teaching of
cooking in schools across the UK.
Young rugby players from throughout the region were able to climb aboard for lessons under the expert eye of Advisory Teacher Richard Shaw, whose planned programme of cooking activities is tailored to the age of those taking part and supports the schools.
Focus on Food Cooking Buses tour the UK delivering lessons to children of all ages
in how to prepare, cook and enjoy real food. Some typical dishes made onboard
the bus include Roast Vegetable Couscous Salad, Vegetable Samosas, Caerphilly
Salad, Cheesy Jacket Potatoes, Fruit Kebabs and Fruit Smoothies.
The youngsters learnt many aspects of food education including nutrition, food safety and hygiene and food preparation skills. The core of all lessons is hands-on cooking.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “The Cooking Bus is a wonderful hands-on
way to spark interest in healthy eating among children.
“We know that children are more likely to eat healthy food if they play a part in
making it, and the menu options are fun and attractive to children – even for
fussy eaters.
“The Cooking Bus programme also values the importance of parents being
involved in sessions so that they have a better understanding of healthy eating
and how to prepare balanced meals.”
Gethin Watts, Blues Academy manager added “The Cooking Bus is a great way of getting our young rugby players educated in healthy eating and cooking.”
“They learnt about nutrition and the type of food they need to prepare and cook if they want to get the most out of their bodies.”
“It’s a great initiative by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Blues are very glad to be on board.”