Junior cooking academy in Swaffham goes down a treat

A Young Chef’s Day at Swaffham Community Centre, organised in conjunction with Norfolk County Council and the Iceni Partnership has taught youngsters how to make healthy choices and learn how to cook during the school holidays.

Norfolk County Council's "Big Norfolk Holiday Fun" meant that children who were eligible for free school meals could go along to the centre from 10am-2pm, four days a week and learn about food and cookery.

Guests included mayor Judy Anscombe and Tescos manager in Swaffham, Leon Egmore, who gave the children a talk about shopping and budgeting and picking out healthy things in the supermarket.

Claire Cotterill, from the Iceni Partnership said: "The children really loved it and it was really nice to be able to do it. It was a really lovely community enterprise with lots of local involvement.

"Children could come along to the cooking academy and learn where food comes from and try different food. Hopefully they will go away from this with a lifelong love of eating and thinking about healthy choices."

More than 5,000 parents registered for the scheme which allows children of families access to healthy eating and sport activities through Big Norfolk Holiday Fun.