She said: “The award is a ‘Mini Muncher Challenge’ themed around the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Children learn basic, age-appropriate chef skills, food hygiene and safety, nutrition, the benefits of choosing healthy snacks and staying hydrated.
“Make-at-home recipes are also included to engage parents and carers. During each session, the children create a different snack, for example a celery caterpillar or watermelon pizza slice.
“No heat is required throughout the challenge and only minimal equipment so it’s easy for nurseries and schools to deliver.
“The importance of understanding the link between what we eat and our health couldn’t be more relevant in the current climate and education is key to sharing this message.”
As the Food Teacher, Katharine and her team have been working with schools since 2014 and launched their first Young Chef award for 9 to 11 year olds in 2017. Feedback from many schools highlighted the need for food and nutrition education to begin as early as possible to ensure that children develop chef skills, hygiene awareness, a basic understanding of nutrition and practical experience. With this in mind, the team launched a Younger Chef award last year for ages 6 to 7 and this year sees the launch of their youngest award for ages 3+.
Once signed up they receive access to the website, which contains everything required for delivery including lessons plans printable resources and teaching videos. They also receive copies of The Food Teacher’s two award-winning books, printed posters for the classroom and stickers and medals for the children.
Local celebrity chef, radio presenter and best-selling author Patti Sloley presents the teaching videos, which are engaging and fun. Patti states, "Introducing young children to nutritious food is a great way to get them started on a healthy life. Working with youngsters is totally inspiring and I hope this award will excite them to get making food!"
The award is being launched on Wednesday 1st July via a local business collaboration and take over of The Food Teacher’s social media channels by pennybird and camera who will showcase the passion and impact of The Food Teacher. On the day find out more about the work they do, the other Young Chef awards and sign up your school/nursery or your child’s school/nursery to get involved.
Katharine maintains, “Teaching children the importance of food for their health is essential and this award starts that process off at a very young age. The long-term impact of food and nutrition education on life long health should never be underestimated.”
Anyone who wants to find out more can follow The Food Teacher on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday 1st or visit: http://youngchefoftheyear.com/