Some Christchurch dads are

finding out more about cooking healthy meals with their children at a course

arranged for them by Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust and Somerford

Children’s Centre.

Nutrionist and author Ester

Davies is tutoring a group of some 20 dads and kids during a six-week course

being held on Saturday mornings at facilities at The Grange School. The

programme is aimed at giving the dads tips on easy and healthy recipes which

they can cook but also finding ways to involve their children, some as young as

five or six, in the culinary activities.

The programme has introduced

the dads to a variety of recipes, including stir-fry spicy pasta, kebabs and

Mediterranean roast vegetables, strawberry shortcake and traditional apple

crumble with custard.

All family members taking

part are clearly enjoying the experience. One of the dads Toby Whiting, who

attends with his seven-year-old son Louis, said: “It’s fun and exciting and

both of us are learning new things. I’ve already cooked two of the dishes I’ve

been taught here at home and I’ve made my first ever cake!”

Eleven-year-old Alfie

Cork-Simpson said: “It’s amazing – I’ve learnt how to peel vegetables properly

and cut them into batons, for example.” And his father, David Simpson, added:

“We’ve learnt some very effective recipes and the whole programme has been well

thought-out.”

Ester Davies said: “This is

great way of getting dads and kids together and finding bonds through food. By

building stronger bonds within families we’re helping to build a stronger

community in our own small way.

“I’m very grateful to the

Food Festival Education Trust for funding the programme and being involved in encouraging

our young people to develop cooking skills that will help them to be

self-sufficient in the future. I would also like to thank Mrs Cooper from The

Grange School for allowing us to use these fantastic facilities on Saturday

mornings.”

The

Dads’ Club, based at Somerford Children’s Centre, contacted the Food Festival

Education Trust whose trustees were happy to provide funding for the course.