Category: International Chefs Day

October 2017, New Zealand: Students from Gisborne Intermediate and Makauri schools traded pencils for utensils to celebrate International Chefs Day.

Gisborne Intermediate ran a special workshop that focused on “the heroes of vegetables”.

Students learned how to make an orange and carrot salad, broccoli salad with raisins and hummus, as well as other healthy recipes.

“It’s all about turning kids on to healthy cooking,” said chef Sue Matthews of Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT).

“Learning to cook is so important and we focused on cooking with fresh produce. It’s also about making cooking fun.

Smoothies were also on the menu. Budding young cooks were encouraged to try different combinations, using carrots, celery, bananas, strawberries and cranberry juice.

International Chefs Day was a global event during which the New Zealand Chefs Association and Nestle New Zealand ran chef-led workshops in schools around the country.

Ms Matthews, the adult community education coordinator at EIT and an active member of the Chefs Association, is enthusiastic about getting kids hooked on growing and cooking their own food.

“I believe we, as chefs, have a greater responsibility and role to play in our communities. We have the knowledge and skills to create nutritious food, which has a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing. By passing these to the younger generation, we can bring enormous benefits to them and their whanau.

The Ministry of Health’s New Zealand Health Survey 2015/16 revealed that 11 percent of Kiwi kids were obese and a further 21 percent were overweight.

Nestle New Zealand country manager and chief executive, Christian Abboud, said these statistics highlighted the importance of people working together to “create a healthy tomorrow for today’s children”.

“Being able to prepare a healthy meal is a fundamental part of enjoying a healthy diet as adults.

“International Chefs Day workshops give children the chance to have fun and be creative with food while they prepare supercharged meals using the superhero foods that are the focus for this year.”

Reprinted from Gisborne Herald: http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/3058328-135/veggie-heroes-as-students-hit-kitchen

October 2017, New Zealand: A group of students became food super heroes at New Plymouth's Frankley School on Wednesday as they learned about healthy eating for International Chefs' Day.

Angela Ferguson, aka the Amazing Chef Angela and president of Taranaki's New Zealand Chefs' Association and head of the trades faculty at the Western Institute of Technology,  said they had been running the event where chefs visit the classroom for three years.

“It's the kids; I love it. They're so excited,” she said. “They're so knowledgeable as well; it's amazing.”

International Chefs Day took place on October 20 but because of the school holidays the events were moved to a later date.

Ferguson said it was “vital” for kids to learn about healthy eating, and the schools were already doing a lot on the subject.

“It is about educating children about healthy eating.

“Kids are starting to learn about growing vegetables without pesticides and things like that. I know that yesterday the kids learned about the healthy eating pyramid.

“I think it's vital and just getting away from that whole sugary cakes and takeaway stuff.”

Michael Wood, aka Mandarin Mike, food technology teacher at Inglewood High School, helped set up the event because his daughter Tara is in the class.

“All these resources are through the Chefs' Association so it's really very cool. They come up with a theme each year and we're able to use these resources,” he said.

On Wednesday, after completing their hero chefs' hats, the kids made hummus with carrot, celery and cucumber and tortilla wedges, and the second group made banana and blueberry smoothies, before they combined for shared kai. The kids will also go home with donated 'little kitchen' sets.

Tara Wood, aka Tara the Terrific Tomato, 8, said she thought the classes were a good idea.

“Because [otherwise] they might eat too much bad food,” she said. 

This is the third year the New Zealand Chefs' Association has partnered with Nestlé to involve young children in International Chefs Day.

Nestlé New Zealand country manager and CEO, Christian Abboud, said being able to prepare a healthy meal is a fundamental part of enjoying a healthy diet as adults.

“International Chefs Day workshops give children the chance to have fun and be creative with food, while they prepare supercharged meals, using the superhero foods that are the focus for this year,” he said.

New Zealand is one of 120 countries participating.

Reprinted from Stuff: https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/98198893/food-heroes-learn-healthy-eating-for-international-chefs-day