Young people to get their just desserts at 'Get Cooking' presentation

Tuesday 11 February 2003

Ref: WA08/03kc

Young people involved in a pilot project aimed at encouraging them to enjoy and have confidence in cooking are to be rewarded at a special certificate presentation ceremony in the Rhondda.

Members of the Ferndale Youth Schools Partnership Programme, which works with young people at risk of disengagement from main stream provision, and 13-18 year olds involved with the Rhydywaun Youth Centre, Cynon Valley have completed the Food Standards Agency Wales’ pilot 'Get Cooking' project.

They will receive their certificates at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s offices at the Pavilions, Clydach Vale at 6pm on 11 February 2003. Two further groups - Barnados ‘Books and Babies’ of Llwynypia and Rhondda’s Viva Project, will receive their certificates in a few weeks time, when they have completed their courses.

'Get Cooking' aims to introduce basic cooking skills over a six-week period, enabling participants to make informed decisions about the food they eat and gain a sense of achievement in their new abilities.

Using the trainer’s guide and recipe booklet provided, group leaders helped their students to prepare and cook a two-course meal each week. At the end of each session, the group shared and enjoyed the food to celebrate everyone’s collective achievements.

'Get Cooking' also aims to explode the myth that cheap convenience foods are cheaper than home-prepared meals. Convenience foods often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar but the use of low cost, economy and in-season ingredients can keep the cost of a home-prepared meal low, and aids understanding of budgeting and healthy eating.

While the Agency funded both organisations for the pilot project, each received a modest sum of just £250, which had to cover all ingredients and start up costs.

Trainers were provided with basic training and tutorial guides, flexible enough to allow each course to run according to the needs of each particular group.

Each session included scope for discussion on topics such as food hygiene, safety and nutrition in addition to recipes, which include roast chicken, pizza, Spanish omelette and a selection of desserts, salad and vegetable dishes.

Hilary Neathey, a Higher Executive Officer for the Food Standards Agency Wales will make the presentation. Speaking beforehand, Hilary said: 'The students who have completed this course have provided the Food Standards Agency Wales with some useful feedback and I am delighted that we are tonight recognising the achievement of these groups in completing the course.

'The aim of 'Get Cooking' is to teach young people basic cooking skills so that they feel a sense of achievement and, above all, enjoy the experience. I hope that the skills the students have acquired, along with the opportunity to discuss issues around healthy eating and food hygiene during the sessions, has given them the confidence to vary their diet and helped them gain an awareness of the important contribution food plays in maintaining good health.