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ASHINGTON MINI MATERCHEFS COOK UP A STORM

Budding chefs from a school in Ashington have been given a master class in cookery by the head chef in one of Wansbeck’s top pubs.

Youngsters from Bothal Middle School’s Year 7 visited the Half Moon Inn, in Stakeford, as part of their Bothal Bistro after school club, before the pub’s head chef took part in their cookery class.

There are 11 mini masterchefs in the group who were shown the ropes in the kitchen by the Half Moon’s owner Shane Otley and head chef David Lee.
Bothal Bistro was set up by the school to encourage youngsters to eat more fresh and healthy food and learn about enterprise. The 11 and 12-year-olds in the group have since taken part in sessions about food from all over the world and learned the importance of using fresh, local ingredients. The visit to the Half Moon gave them an insight into how the skills they are learning are used in the business world.

Angela Staines, food technology teacher at Bothal Middle School, thinks the visit to the Half Moon has been a big benefit to the fledgling foodies: “They saw what goes on in a real life business setting. They all really enjoy cooking but now they know more about where a career in hospitality can lead them.”
Lauren Davison, 11, is enjoying being part of Bothal Bistro: “I like to cook at home but there is more equipment at school and I am learning more advanced things. Having a look around the kitchen was really fun. I’d like to cook for people when I get older but I don’t think I could be a chef – the hours are too long.”

Head chef at the Half Moon, David Lee, was delighted to show the children around his kitchen: “It is excellent to see children so excited about food. It is a great age for them to get involved. They are all really interested in ingredients, where they come from and how to cook meals from scratch. It would be great if even one of them ends up being a chef - if they were good enough I’d take one on.”

Andy Gaskell from WEEN said: “The Bothal Bistro is all about getting children involved with food at a young age to prepare them for the future. They are learning about sourcing and preparing food at school and have learned about enterprise during their visit today. It is important for the children to work with local businesses and the chefs at the Half Moon, Dave and Shane, are excellent role models for them. WEEN is all about giving young people experience and opportunities that will help them in the future – these pupils are on the right track for a healthy, successful life for years to come.”

For more information about WEEN visit www.gowansbeck.co.uk or call 01670 842888.

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