Students from Victoria Academy took part in the school’s healthy eating competition which saw them cook their menus at the catering department at Furness General Hospital on Thursday.
The 54 year three students cooked a variety of healthy dishes with the catering team including homemade spicy vegetable soup, cod and prawn Thai fishcakes and banana and honey granola pots. Food made on the day was served to staff, volunteers and visitors.
The competition is part of the school’s healthy eating project run by year three teachers Gill Stevens and Joanne Stanway which teaches its students about different food groups, sugar swaps, and the Change4Life project.
Tracy Litt, Catering Manager for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, attended the school in Barrow to help the children to devise a healthy menu. She also listened to their group presentations which included songs and dances.
This is the fifth year the school has taken part in the competition.
Tracy said: “It’s very important that we teach children about healthy eating from a young age and exercises like this encourage
them to look at different types of food.
“The work that the school is doing is really inspiring – they have taught the students about sugar swaps of chocolate to fresh fruit.
“There is always a real buzz when the children come in to cook – the team and the school thoroughly enjoy the day.”
The students’ posters are now on display in the Lonsdale Grill Restaurant at FGH.
Gill Stevens said: “The children really value the time they have spent with Tracy and today’s practical. It’s not just about the science behind it all; they have also worked really hard as a group.”
Student Byron Nicholson added: “I have found the day really interesting and have enjoyed all of the practical elements.”