The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts launches National Adopt a School Week
Leading chefs, restaurateurs and hoteliers from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) will go back to school in February to deliver food and front of house education lessons to schools throughout the UK.
During the week of 6 February, schools across the UK will be visited by industry heroes, all members of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, who will be promoting food education and helping children to appreciate hospitality from a young age.
Albert Roux and chef Michael Mathieson of Chez Roux Restaurants will represent Scotland; Raymond Blanc and Gary Jones of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons will visit their adopted school in Oxfordshire; and London will be represented by celebrated chefs Phil Howard, Giorgio Locatelli, royal chef Mark Flanagan and Adam Byatt.
In the south-west, chef director of the Pig, James Golding, will visit a school in Christchurch and RACA President Brian Turner will go back to his roots in Yorkshire alongside Michelin-starred Frances Atkins.
Dominic Chapman of the Beehive in White Waltham, Berkshire, will be representing the south-east, and Lucknam Park's Hywel Jones will return to his native Wales. East Anglia will be represented by Richard Hughes of the Assembly House in Norwich.
With industry skills shortages and the UK obesity crisis continuing to swell, the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts is hoping its programme will benefit all involved and will be well supported.
Launched as a national charity in 1990, the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts' Adopt a School Trust informs primary children about food, cookery, food provenance and growing, healthy eating, nutrition, hygiene and the importance of eating together. Academy chefs and hospitality professionals deliver sessions ranging from taste and sensory to advance practical cookery and front of house, in the classroom, in restaurants and on farms.
Adopt a School recognises that a child's development is crucial for their future health and well-being. The programme has adopted an innovative approach to tackling health inequalities by giving children the knowledge to improve their own health and wellbeing, as well as supporting parents and teachers to embed healthy eating messages in schools and at home.
Since its inception, the Adopt a School Trust estimates that it has reached some half a million children.
Members of RACA, and trained guest chefs, teach school children across the country about food in a holistic way, giving their time voluntarily. The organisation provides training to its members and others in the hospitality industry. Training is available to non-members of RACA (fees apply) who are inspired to get involved with the programme.
The charity receives no Government funding and relies upon the goodwill of its members, supporters and sponsors to raise funds.
National Adopt a School Week has already secured financial pledges from Lexington Catering, Continental Chef Supplies, Woods Food Service, Gleneagles and Clapham-based restaurateur Adam Byatt. The academy hopes to secure more sponsors in the run-up to the event.
For more information about Adopt a School visit www.chefsadoptaschool.org.uk or contact helenahoughton@raoca.org.uk
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