Food Education with Chefs Adopt a School

This year our Business Development Chef, Jonathan Harvey-Barnes, has once again taken part in the Chefs Adopt a School programme organised by the Academy of Culinary Arts.

The aim of the programme is to teach children in a holistic way – about food, cookery, food provenance, food growing, healthy eating, nutrition, hygiene, table etiquette and the importance of eating together. This is achieved by an experienced chef visiting a school once a term and delivering food education to a set year group on taste, healthy eating, nutrition and hygiene.

Jonathan has teamed up with his local school Alveston C of E Primary School in Stratford upon Avon, to educate a Year 4 class on where food comes from and how it’s grown. Throughout the year Jonathan has conducted three sessions at the school with the third being a visit to the Holiday Inn Stratford – which will be being rebranded as a Crown Plaza Hotel. This involved the children having a full tour of the hotel by the Head Chef – Charles Anderson and HR Manager – Stevie Gray.

Charles led a full chef demonstration, wowing the children with his industry knowledge and skill, whilst Stevie provided an informative and detailed tour of the hotel.

Throughout his own sessions at Alveston C of E Primary School, Jonathan focused on the five senses heightened by food; taste, smell, touch, sight and sound. He also explained the different taste areas on the tongue – providing the children an educational understanding on how to enjoy food. Jonathan also developed these ideas by demonstrating food preparation with the healthy choice of salad. The children were given a basic salad in which they could try – following this Jonathan cooked up his own twist on a salad representing how different elements can be added and taken away to completely change the food experience.

Jessica Newitt, Assistant Headteacher at Alveston C of E Primary School, said ‘The children have learnt so much and they have thoroughly enjoyed every session. Jonathan is extremely kind, supportive and informative and his enthusiasm is infectious. The children can’t wait for the next session! We are really grateful for this experience as it has given so many more learning opportunities than we could possibly have provided ourselves.’

On the day Jonathan said ‘It has been fantastic working with the children and helping them to develop their knowledge on food, they all paid a keen interest which has made my time at Alverston Primary once again, a pleasure. A big thank you to the Holiday Inn for their time and hospitality, Charles Anderson and Stevie Gray provided the children with a great insight into the hospitality industry.’