Compulsory cookery lessons and cookbooks for kids

The new funding includes £150 million capital investment to build food technology teaching areas in schools without facilities and £750,000 specifically to recruit and train 800 new food technology teachers. A new free cookbook will also be available to all 11-year olds to help them learn healthy versions of old favourites – from spaghetti bolognese; risotto; to roast chicken legs and chow mein. The 'Real Meals – Simple Cooking Made Easy' cookbook containing 32 recipes and sauces devised by chef Phil Vickery, was chosen after the public was asked to nominate the basic dishes every child should learn how to cook. Today's announcement follows minister's confirmation in January that from 2011, food technology lessons, including hands-on practical cooking lessons, will be compulsory for every 11-14 year olds – the first time that cooking has ever been compulsory in schools. Ed Balls, Children, Schools and Families Secretary, explained: "Too many people simply accept they cannot cook; do not have time for it; or even take pride in it. We've lost touch with making basic dishes from scratch, even though there has never been a wider range of food in our shops. Once you've mastered basic dishes and techniques it is a straightforward skill which you can build on for the rest of your life. "Food prices may be rising but you can still prepare nutritious, tasty dishes if you can shop, budget, plan and cook properly." The Swan in West Malling, Kent, has proved itself to be in tune with the policy with the launch of The Cygnet Award which encourages children to create and cook a healthy recipe, using seasonal and regional produce, and to re-engage them with home cooking and cookery at school. Peter Cornwall, director at The Swan, explained his reasons behind launching the award: "We want to inspire a new generation of children to reconnect with healthy eating and to discover the genuine sense of achievement a young person can feel by creating and cooking their own healthy meals. Cooking is not only one of the most important life skills, but is essential for a long and healthy life."