Teaching children 'I can cook'

I remember when I was at school, not that long ago, we would have a weekly lesson of 'Home Economics'. I loved it, my favourite double lesson of the week, even though my teacher was a little scary. It seemed to sink in, unlike maths and science!! I was able to grasp cooking and the art of food preparation very quickly, with lots of disasters along the way. Wicker basket, ingredients and a clean tea towel in hand, every Thursday afternoon. To this day I think it is absolutely vital that our children learn to cook and understand where are food comes from.

Recently processed food has received another bashing, due to us loosing control completely. Meat, poultry, fruit and veg, bought across the sea. Processed food and ready meals made god knows where and using god knows what in it!

Keep it local, fresh, seasonal and simple, with that you cant really go far wrong. Finally schools look like they are pulling their fingers out again and teaching food within the curriculum, Even clubs are a great. Our local primary recently ran a cookery club and my daughter Natalia counted down her sleeps, she adored it so much and learnt lots from it too. Natalia has now made up her own recipe folder.

I teach regularly at home and for The Bay Tree Cottage, Farthingstone in Northampton. Jenny now runs workshops through the half term breaks, teaching teenagers. From cake making, baking days, Indian day and of course pasta making with me:) Such a wonderful and well received idea.

Today I taught a class of 6 teenagers the art of making simple pasta. From the dough to spaghetti, fettuccine, farfalle, papardelle and my herb pressed pasta. Two sauces to accompany were a very scrummy tomato and olive sauce and a fresh carbonara. There was lots of giggiling , flour in hair and on noses and fabulous results too.

The enthusiasm to learn was just wonderful to see. The children left with full tummies as well as a box of homemade pasta. A wonderful course that has inspired these children to want to learn more. I think they will be making pasta this weekend for their parents. Very proud teacher.

Carmela x