Children as young as two are being given the chance to build their confidence in the kitchen with the launch of new cookery classes in Jersey.
Cook Stars Jersey is running sessions at the Philadelphie Messy Centre for children and young people aged between two and 17, with participants preparing meals to take home.
The cookery school, which operates in more than 60 locations across the UK, offers three different age groups: minis for two- to five-year-olds, juniors for those aged five to 11, and academy for 11- to 17-year-olds.
Classes involve preparing home-cooked recipes using simple ingredients, alongside occasional treats.
The launch comes after the latest Children and Young People’s Survey, conducted by Statistics Jersey, found that fewer than a quarter of pupils surveyed were eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables.
Just 23% of children in Years 6, 8 and 10 reported eating at least five portions of fruit or vegetables a day, down from 30% in 2021.
As well as its regular classes, Cook Stars Jersey offers pre-school, after-school and weekend sessions, holiday workshops and birthday parties.
Express caught up with Emily Ludlow from Cook Stars Jersey to find out what led her into teaching children to cook and what she hopes youngsters will get out of the classes…
Tell us a bit about yourself. What led you into children’s cookery?
I was born in Jersey, and have worked here for most of my career in the financial sector.
I have a three-year-old, and when I first made fairy cakes with her, I knew that seeing the joy on her face was what I wanted to do for other kids.
What is Cook Stars and what makes it different from other children’s activities?
Cook Stars is an award-winning children’s cookery school that provides hands-on cooking classes for children and teens aged two to 17.
Every child prepares their own dish from scratch to take home, with all ingredients and equipment provided.
What do you hope participants will take away from the classes?
Hands-on learning: Every child makes their own dish from scratch rather than just observing.
Focus on life skills: Classes aim to build cooking confidence, practical kitchen skills and a positive relationship with food.
Balanced approach to food: Children learn home-cooked recipes using simple ingredients while also enjoying occasional treats.
Safety and inclusion: Classes are led by trained, DBS-checked leaders and use allergy-aware recipes that can often be adapted.
Why do you think it’s important for children to learn to cook from a young age?
Teaching children to cook from a young age is important because it helps them develop valuable life skills and healthy habits.
Some benefits of learning to cook young are that it builds confidence, encourages healthy eating, develops practical life skills, promotes independence, improves maths and reading skills, creates positive relationships with food and encourages creativity.
What’s one thing children always surprise you with in the kitchen?
Children are willing to try new foods when they’ve helped prepare them. They enjoy responsibility, such as measuring ingredients, mixing or following a recipe.
Their confidence grows quickly after successfully making a dish on their own, and they often want to help with family meals once they’ve learned some basic skills at a cooking class.
What sort of dishes are made at the cooking classes?
The mini and junior classes are starting in September with Welsh Rarebit muffins followed by cherry, coconut and chocolate bakes.
The academy class is starting with sweet and sour chicken, followed by banana bread and chocolate cake.
What is your view on cooking these days? Is it something families have lost as an activity?
I don’t think families have completely lost cooking, but many parents have less time than previous generations to teach it.
Between work, school runs, clubs and family commitments, passing on kitchen skills at home can be challenging.
What is your favourite recipe and why?
My favourite recipe is a classic cottage pie served with freshly made French bread.
It is warming and reminds me of family dinners as a child.
