Students battle for cookery prize

SECONDARY school students are looking to farmers for inspiration in the battle to win a place on a cookery course in celebrity chef Neven Maguire’s award-winning premises.

More than 2,000 home economics students from all over the country are competing in the “Our Food — Your Way” healthy eating challenge designed by farming and food educational body, Agri Aware.

Agri Aware chairwoman Mairéad Lavery said this initiative has been designed to educate students about the importance of nutritious, safe, quality foods.

“It is crucial to teach young adults about the importance of food choice before they begin third level or move away from home,” she said.

Ms Lavery said while 2,000 students are taking part, more than 50,000 students will be targeted by the communications strategies that must be carried out within the schools.

The Healthy Eating Challenge, now in its second year, is supported by Bord Bia and the Home Economics Teachers Association.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter said the board is delighted to be working with the initiative.

“With eating habits established from an early age, it is important to continue to increase teenager’s awareness of what constitutes a healthy, balanced diet and what produce is freshly available,” he said.

The winning groups and their teachers will attend a two-day cookery course with Neven Maguire in McNean House and Bistro.