Weekly courses for 4 weeks at Dial Park Primary School in Stockport
24th January – 4th February 2011
As I had only been in post for a short period of time, this was the first opportunity I’d had to be involved in organising an event here at the Primary School. I was very nervous about taking on this responsibility but I am so glad that I did. We may only have attracted a relatively small group of parents and children but the feedback that we received and their overall commitment to the event was amazing!
The children really enjoyed getting involved in the preparation and cooking process and the parents appreciated the relaxed and informal presentation of the cooking experience. Everyone confirmed that they had tried different foods that they wouldn’t have normally used. One parent was so pleased to have found a meal that she could cook for the whole family. Another parent and their child came in the following week and said that they had used the recipe sheet to prepare the meal again at home and everyone had loved it.
We also experienced a parent contributing to the session by sharing their own recipe for a salad dressing! This may seem small and insignificant, but in fact it was wonderful to see our parents working so closely together. Parents began to ask where the ingredients could be purchased locally, particularly the less well known and recognised herbs, flour and lentils. This was very positive as it meant that they were thinking about extending their menu choices at home as a direct result of attending this cooking event. We had one parent that was literally dragged along by her child who was keen to attend the event. This mum was not keen and sadly didn’t return the following week. However the brilliant news was that she came back for the final week and really enjoyed herself, sitting with her child experiencing together the whole preparation, cooking and eating event!
Adele was very positive and supportive. The advertising banners, recipe leaflets and other healthy eating/living booklets helped to support the event and provided our parents with information they could take away and read at their leisure. Adele brought with her a wonderful team of cooks, they shared their knowledge and skills with our families in a positive and proactive way, giving them the confidence to try different and in some cases unusual foods that they wouldn’t otherwise experience.
Finally during the last session parents began asking about when and if the event would be repeated. Discussions took place about setting up their own sessions to extend their knowledge, skills and experiences. Sadly as in all cases the stumbling block was the funding issue; that surrounds all good community projects.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Cracking Good Food Team and the Co-Op for providing and supporting this event here at Dial Park Primary School. The families that attended had a brilliant time and the experience can only be seen as a positive one. Raising the profile of healthy eating that doesn’t cost a fortune!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for using our school as a venue for this event.
Jill SmithBusiness Manager
Dial Park Primary School
Please click on each week to read the Cracking Good Food Blog from each session
Weeks 1 : Stir Fry and Week 2: Stew and Dumplings
