Metrocentre has been turning up the flavour in the classroom and the kitchen to inspire children to cook and to eat more healthily.
In partnership with Slim Chickens and Wagamama, Metrocentre took on the challenge of showing Gateshead children healthier ways to think about and make choices on the food they eat.
Children growing up in the North East are more likely to be obese than in any other region of England - with more than a quarter of 10 and 11 year-olds at an unhealthy weight.
The latest NHS figures show that 25.8% of Year 6 pupils who had their height and weight measured this year were above healthy limits and classed as obese.
Obesity increases the risk of developing a range of health conditions in childhood and later life, such as heart disease, high blood pressure; diabetes, and some cancers. Obese children are much more likely to become obese adults, which may lead to significant health risks.
Working with Brighton Avenue and Bede Primary Schools, we were able to go into the classroom to start a discussion about what we eat, the way we think about food and how with some small changes, we could eat much more healthily.
In the classroom, Wagamama Restaurant Manager James Wilson, took pupils on a voyage of adventure with Japanese food, and an insight into the Japanese Language. Lee Hurst, Manager at Slim Chickens introduced the children to seasoning and flavouring to make food more appetising and filling.
There was great emphasis on thinking about the portion sizes we’re used to, and how measuring what we eat can make such a huge difference.
With great support from our partners GO North East, the children were able to visit the restaurants in Metrocentre, roll up their sleeves and have hands on experience of preparing delicious restaurant standard food.
Feedback from Bede Primary School told us:
The project complemented the PSHE curriculum with regards to the benefits of making informed choices about food to live a healthy lifestyle. The delivery was engaging, exciting and really got the children thinking and wanting to know more.
Visiting the Metro Centre was a first time experience for quite a few of the children, despite living within Gateshead and just a couple of miles away.
Using the equipment, hygiene protocols and raw ingredients is something which many children will never experience and this was a brilliant opportunity for them to consider the processes which go into cooking in a restaurant but could also be used at home too. Being able to follow up a great classroom session with a real-life, meaningful restaurant visit was a terrific experience which really did bring learning and the curriculum to life for the children.
