Stir-Fried Vegetables (photo by Anita Patterson Peppers, courtesy of morguefile.com)

Here's a trend we'd like to see make its way across the pond to America: England is making cooking classes mandatory for secondary school children as part of a strategy to combat obesiity and improve people's health . Apparently, some children cannot identify common vegetables.

Under the new Englsh program students will cook for one hour per week for one term. Students without sufficient financial means will have their ingredients subsidized. A report from BBC News quotes Schools Secretary Ed Balls as saying, "I think it is important to act now and maybe we should have acted earlier."

Secretary Balls went on to say, "It's not going to be just the technology of food, it will be how you can use simple ingredients, simple recipes, so that children and young people can be prepared for adult life."

Despite some fine native chefs, English cooking has been the target of many a bon mot over the years. But whatever your opnion of British cuisine, you've got to applaud what they've cooked up this time.

If you’d like to read the BBC News article cited above go to: Cookery classes to be compulsory in England

The English government is inviting people to send suggested recipes to: getcooking.consultation@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk

To view earlier posts on the topic go to:
1. Young Chefs' Academy
2. Getting Their Hands Dirty at School
3. Getting Kids to Enjoy Eating Fruits & Veggies