Pupils launch healthy eating cookbook

Using produce grown in their own school gardens, junior masterchefs from four Harrow schools and another in Kolkata competed to include their recipes in the culinary guide.

The Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Asad Omar, tasted a selection of the winning 23 dishes during a book launch at Canons High School on Wednesday 16th June. The easy-to-follow book features soups, curries and cakes, along with burritos and a Jamaican salmon dish, all cooked by pupils aged five to 13 years old.

The book launch celebrates the end of a British Council backed project to teach children about healthy eating, the environment and eco-awareness. Pupils from Canons High School , Stag Lane Middle, Stag Lane First and Glebe First & Middle school, all in Harrow , took part, along with children at Gokhale Memorial Girls' School in Kolkata.

The cookbooks are now on sale at the participating schools.

Cllr Brian Gate, Portfolio Holder for Schools and Colleges on Harrow Council, said:

"It's great to see so many children showing a real passion for fresh, locally grown food - Jamie Oliver has got competition here in Harrow .

"It's essential that from an early age children learn the impact food has on their health and wellbeing, and on the environment.

"This was an outstanding project that did just that, encouraging pupils to get hands on growing their own produce before turning their crop into tasty, healthy meals.

"There are some superb recipes in the cookbook and I urge people to get their hands on one while stocks last. As someone who enjoys cooking at home, I'll certainly want to try out the recipes."

Donna Barratt, Headteacher at Glebe First and Middle School, added:

"Over the last three years the Canons cluster schools in Harrow have developed very successful international links with a group of schools in Kolkata in India . The focus of our joint work, supported by the British Council, has been on developing a greater awareness of global and local environmental issues and on promoting eco friendly practices.

"This exciting cookery project has been part of this valuable collaborative work. It has enabled our pupils to explore each other's cultures and traditions through learning about how to grow and cook food. The cookbook contains many fabulous recipes."