LOCAL cooking classes have been launched to help children build confidence in the kitchen and develop practical skills and healthy eating habits.
Cook Stars Jersey is running classes at the Philadelphie Messy Centre for children and young people aged two to 17, with sessions combining home-cooked recipes using simple ingredients with occasional treats.
Owner Emily Ludlow said she was inspired to bring the classes to the Island by her three-year-old daughter after “seeing the joy on her face” when she made fairy cakes for the first time.
“Teaching children to cook from a young age is important because it helps them develop valuable life skills and healthy habits,” she said.
“Children are often far more capable in the kitchen than adults expect.
“One of the best things we see is children taking their new skills home and becoming more interested in helping with family meals.
“When children help prepare their own food, they’re often much more willing to try and enjoy new ingredients.”
It comes after the latest Children and Young People’s Survey, conducted by Statistics Jersey, revealed that less than a quarter (23%) of children in Years 6, 8 and 10 reported eating at least five portions of fruit or vegetables daily – down from 30% in 2021.
The Cook Stars Jersey classes also aim to help parents who may struggle to find the time to pass on practical cooking skills at home.
Ms Ludlow said: “Parents understand the value of cooking, but finding the time to teach it can be challenging.
“Our classes give children the chance to develop confidence in the kitchen, learn practical skills and discover that cooking can be fun.”
Each session includes ingredients, equipment, aprons, packaging, a craft, snack and printed recipe card, with participants able to take home the dish they have made.
Class leaders are trained and DBS-checked, while recipes are allergy-aware and can be adapted when needed.
More information is available at cookstars.co.uk.
