Award-winning cookery school, Eckington Manor, is offering courses with a difference this summer. Aimed exclusively at young cooks, the courses will teach children the reality of where food comes from, why shopping locally is best and ways to ensure nothing goes to waste.12-06-2009

Eckington Manor owner, Judy Gardner, explains her reasons for creating the courses:

"People underestimate the abilities of young people and make cookery courses too simplistic. I learnt to cook from the age of X by helping my Mum in the kitchen but many working women simply don't have the time these days.

It's important for children to understand that meat comes from cattle, for example, and not from supermarket shelves - our course informs children about our working farm and its animals. We'll also encourage children to choose their own vegetables and herbs from our gardens.

Kids need to know how to cook a real meal, how to make food go further and how to use basic ingredients. This involves learning basic knife skills if they are going to cook more than cakes.

We're also running a course for students going to college this autumn. This takes into account their limited budget, time and inclination to eat sensibly.
Teach them the benefits to the world at large and not just themselves of buying fresh ingredients and shopping locally and they are more likely to take notice.
All our courses will be run by our tutor chef who has years of experience working in restaurant kitchens the world over".

Eckington Manor Cookery School is offering three course levels from July 16th onwards aimed at 10-12 year-olds, 13- 16 year-olds and the under 18s. As well as day courses, Eckington are considering courses over several days for anyone who is interested.

Visit www.eckingtonmanorcookeryschool.co.uk  for further information, additional course details and costs.