Cooking in schools: rewarding teachers for inspiring adolescents to make healthy choices

Abstract

Summary Cooking in schools is an important part of a child's personal development. Children who develop adequate cooking skills and nutritional knowledge are more likely to make healthier food choices in later life. Children carry these new found skills through to adulthood, and there is evidence to suggest that an increased nutritional awareness and ability in cooking skills helps individuals to make effective dietary choices. In the past, there have been a number of cooking-related activities aimed at children and students. Grainchain.com's Inspire! competition aimed to encourage teachers who had developed inspiring cooking-skills related lesson plans to promote the dissemination of effective teaching ideas to less confident colleagues. The Inspire! competition highlighted the imagination, drive and talent that there is within the UK teaching industry to deliver engaging, effective practical cooking lessons. Making the most of these talents is a key part in helping children to develop skills, knowledge and confidence from which they will benefit throughout their adult lives.