Linlithgow Academy sets its pupils a healthy challenge

The school partnered with one of its lunchtime meal suppliers, Pasta King, to set pupils the challenge of designing a healthy, tasty pasta sauce. The results of the competition were announced last week, which saw Adam Roy, Rachel Strizzi and Andrew Johnston crowned winners for their 'Mediterranean' pasta sauce. Each year, the Health & Food Technology department issues a competitive challenge as a culmination of the students' two year course. This year's competition involved 240 second year students and required them to design a delicious pasta sauce, which fully complies with the 'Healthy Eating in Schools Scotland Act' and could potentially be used on future menus. Terry Rowland, head of the Health & Food Technology Department at Linlithgow Academy said: "By asking the pupils to design a dish to be used by the company, they are encouraged to reflect on the nutritional and health aspects of their diets, helping to promote a healthier outlook on life. "In meeting the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence, we wish to develop confident individuals, successful learners, responsible citizens and effective contributors and for this, the challenge is hugely valuable. This year's task has been met with a huge amount of enthusiasm from the pupils and we have been impressed by the level of commitment and imagination demonstrated." Sue Davenport, Pasta King managing director, comments: "We are pleased to be able to support initiatives such as this to not only spread the message that healthy eating needn't be a chore but also to inspire creativity and entrepreneurship amongst young people. We hope to be able to continue supporting schemes like this in the future and work together with schools to make a difference to the attitudes of young students." For more information please see www.pastaking.co.uk