Pupils Hungry for DIY healthy cooking

Despite news reports to the contrary, one Dundee College chef has discovered that the city's school pupils are more than interested in health cooking.  Lecturer chef Walter McCrindle has been running a Chef's Club at two schools since September and has been inundated with pupils keen to learn about healthy cooking even though they have to stay on after school to attend.  Each Tuesday afternoon Mr McCrindle gives demonstrations to 10 or 12 pupils of all ages before overseeing the youngsters as they prepare the dishes themselves. 

 "With statistics indicating obesity levels among both primary and secondary school children at an all time high, we are trying to introduce the pupils to fresh, healthy choices," said the lecturer.  "So far I have been visiting St John's High School and Harris Academy and have had plenty of pupils attending. Each session starts at 3.30 p.m. and runs to about 5 p.m. and I usually do six sessions before moving on to another school."

Among healthy options the pupils have enjoyed are using carrots and oatmeal to make health scones, creating stir-fry dishes with chicken, peppers and fresh vegetables and creating pasta from scratch.

The level of interest the pupils have shown in Chef's Club has not only impressed Mr McCrindle, but also Harris Academy staff.

"Chef's Club is a great experience for the youngsters - allowing them to work with a real chef and try using the more unusual ingredients they don't normally use in class," said Ruth Lough, acting principal teacher of home economics at the school.  "Walter always has brilliant ideas for healthy eating and it is very much a hands-on, active way of learning."