Risedale School's Year 9 pupils showcased their culinary prowess on Tuesday, 1st July, as they actively participated in celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's ambitious Guinness World Record attempt for the largest multi-venue cookery class. The event saw pupils from Risedale, already immersed in Oliver's "10 Skills Programme" within their Key Stage 3 curriculum, rise to the challenge, demonstrating essential cooking skills and a passion for fresh, homemade food.

Risedale School champions Jamie Oliver's philosophy, which advocates for widespread access to cooking education to combat reliance on convenience foods. As Jamie Oliver himself states, "Everyone should have the opportunity to learn to cook; without it, we become dependent on others to feed us, or on convenience foods to fuel us – neither of which is sustainable."

The record-breaking challenge, which involved participants and schools across the country (and potentially globally) simultaneously preparing a homemade pasta and tomato sauce dish, was a natural fit for Risedale's existing curriculum. The "10 Skills Programme" focuses on equipping pupils with practical cooking abilities, fostering independence in the kitchen, and encouraging them to share their culinary creations with friends and family.

Mrs Dovaston, Head of Food Technology at Risedale, expressed immense pride in her Year 9 pupils' performance. "I am very proud of the Year 9 pupils and their continued resilience in Food Technology lessons this year," she commented. "They worked very hard in the Pasta Champions Challenge, supporting each other to follow the method, making fresh pasta and tomato sauce, as part of this nationwide challenge. The pupils all enjoyed the experience, learning and developing new skills. They were proud and keen to eat the results at lunchtime!"

The event not only provided a thrilling opportunity for pupils to be part of a global record attempt but also reinforced the valuable life skills they are developing through their food technology lessons. Risedale School continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering pupils with the knowledge and abilities to make healthy and sustainable food choices for their futures.

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