Community champion runscooking school for children

Rachel Webber has been running an after-school cookery club, supported by learning mentor Louise Arnold, at Gomer Junior School.

They have been making use of the school’s new kitchen for the last half term and years 3 and 4 have made a variety of recipes including sweet and savoury dishes.

Ms Webber said: ‘Asda have been delighted to offer this opportunity to the children, providing all the ingredients and my time.

‘I have learnt lots during this club – 10 children cooking can be tricky but I have enjoyed the sessions very much.’

The sessions are an opportunity for the children to learn real cooking skills such as how to prepare, cook and taste, which for 
the school are very important skills being nurtured at the club.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Gosport came to visit the children to see what they had been doing at the club.

They were greeted with a selection of healthy burgers on arrival, which the children had produced themselves.

The Mayor of Gosport Keith Farr said: ‘The cookery club is encouraging the children to stay on after school, thanks to Rachel and their teachers.

‘Cooking is such an important life skill. It is great that the children have this opportunity.’

He added: ‘The burgers were not fatty, they had tomatoes, lettuce and cucumber in them and they were very delicious.’

Headteacher Georgina Mulhall said: ‘The children have now learnt some basic recipes.

‘We are delighted that they are trying them out at home. Often, adults can be nervous of cooking or think they can’t do it.

‘We are delighted that our children enjoy cooking and are trying new foods.

‘We are very grateful to Asda for this opportunity.’

The free after-school cookery club will continue to happen next term and new children will be able to join.

Gomer Junior School advises parents and pupils to look out for letters next term.