Cooking class serves up children at Eastergate CofE School a tasty slice of Italy

They made risotto, risotto cakes and home-made pesto in the first class of a four-week Italian cooking course at the school in Church Lane, Eastergate.

Pupils from The March, Aldingbourne, Slindon and Westergate schools also took part in the two-hour Saturday morning session.

Next week they will move on to pannacotta, home-made pasta, bolognese, ice cream, biscuits and garlic bread.

The course is being run by Pip Pegler, who also has a company called Pip's Perfect Nosh.

She said: "It's full-on, hands-on fun, and that's what's important in life."

In September, Pip ran a similar-length course in basic cookery, and next month she will be tackling traditional British cooking.

A boy aged 14 is doing all three as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

Pip added: "I've been going in on a voluntary basis to teach cooking for four years at Eastergate.

"When I started they had an arts and crafts room with a little old cooker.

"We got money to refit it as a fully-fitted kitchen. It has now progressed to the point where cooking is taught throughout the school.

"The headmistress has supported it with great enthusiasm and it helps towards the school's Healthy Schools status, which we now have."

The current age range of Pip's class is six to 14, but children of all ages are welcome. In future she hopes to run classes for adults, too.

For more details email her at [email protected]

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