In the Press.
Culinary “Twinning” Brings Fun To Healthy Food
A leading York hotel and a York primary school are taking part in a unique culinary twinning venture aimed at giving youngsters a love of food from an early age.
Each week, Best Western Monkbar Hotel head chef Dave Asbury will run a term-time Lunchtime Club at Yearsley Grove Primary School, where he will explore different foods with the young participants.
Instead of children turning their noses up at new or unfamiliar dishes, Dave is hoping the sessions – appropriately being held at school dinner time – will see the pupils experimenting with different food.
Best Western Monkbar Hotel director June Nelsey said: “Dave has worked with the school for three years, helping Year 6 pupils to create and prepare a menu for their annual leaver’s ball. In 2007 Yearsley Grove was the first primary school in the city to hold their ball in a hotel. This was a really positive experience for everyone involved. They all wrote and thanked him for the experience and this led us to develop this new extended partnership.
“Every parent knows that when it comes to food, children are particularly faddy and it takes a lot for them to try new dishes. We are hoping that Dave’s sessions will eliminate the fear factor and encourage them to be inquisitive – and actually experience new tastes.”
“Ideally we want them to gain a love of and appreciation of food from a very early age. This in turn will stand them in good stead when it comes to them attending secondary school and taking part in cookery lessons, something the Government is extremely keen on.”
The school menu contains a rich variety of food from which Dave will choose an individual dish or ingredient each session to talk about. It will be interactive and very much hands on.
Ann Burn, head teacher of Yearsley Primary School, said: “We are thrilled with this ‘twinning’ as it will bring an extra dimension to our work in enabling children to make healthy life style choices. Over a period of years the school has formed a positive working relationship with Dave and the Monkbar hotel.
“Dave has a natural rapport with the children and this combined with his knowledge and skills will undoubtedly make food more interesting and fun.”
Mrs Burn added: “We are all very excited for the first club meeting and are extremely grateful to Dave and The Monkbar Hotel for joining us in this new and exciting venture. We hope to make school dinners the number one choice at Yearsley Primary School.”
The first Lunch Time Club is taking place on Tuesday, April 22, and will see the children and Dave tackling Yorkshire Puddings, with a little history and lots of tasting!