Chef Fergus Henderson to make pigs’ tails for Herts ‘Cookit!’ students

On Wednesday 18 June 2008, one of the UK’s most celebrated chefs, Fergus Henderson, will be conducting a live cooking demonstration for special needs students at a secondary school in Redbourn, Hertfordshire. What’s on the menu? Pigs’ tails and bone marrow!

Fergus Henderson is the owner and head chef of St John restaurant, currently ranked 16th in the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ 2008 competition, and author of the award-winning book ‘Nose to Tail Eating: A Kind of British Cooking’. In support of the free to use children’s website, Cookit!, Fergus Henderson will be teaching excited children not only how to cook, but also how traditional British cooking can incorporate every part of the animal – from the nose to tail.

E2BN, the Government funded supplier of broadband connectivity, learning resources and services to schools and colleges in the East of England, developed the Cookit! website to help pupils and teachers to share recipes, including ideas for healthy eating. The website is suitable for all Key Stages 1 to 4, with recipes ranging in difficulty from easy to advanced, so pupils of all ages can participate and enjoy.

Chris Kastel of E2BN commented: “Food and diet have become an important focus in education, particularly given the obesity crisis that is affecting children in the UK. E2BN established the Cookit! website to encourage school children to learn how to cook and eat healthily, while educating learners about food and health throughout history. The site includes information on how attitudes have changed towards eating in times of hardship such as WWII.”

Fergus Henderson stated: “I’m looking forward to opening kids’ eyes to the delights of cooking with innards and extremities. The sooner children get into the kitchen the better!”

Chris Kastel continued: “We are looking forward to Fergus’ innovative demonstration of traditional British cookery for the students at St Luke’s School in Hertfordshire, as the school is a frequent user and contributor to the Cookit! website.”

John Warwick, deputy head teacher at St Luke’s School, a special school for students with moderate learning difficulties commented: “The students are really excited about welcoming a world famous chef to their school. St Luke’s has a strong focus on food technology, nutrition and health. Having a wonderful child-friendly cookery resource such as the E2BN Cookit! website really engages the pupils and helps them learn the importance of nutrition and healthy food.”

Fergus Henderson’s recipes for pigs’ tails and bone marrow from the St Luke’s demonstration will be available on the Cookit! website for other schools and children to try.

Media interested in more information, or to attend the cooking demonstration at 10.15am at St Lukes School in Rebourn, Hertfordshire, please contact Jo Lee at Mango Marketing on 01932 829 077 or jo.lee@mangomarketing.com.

For more information about E2BN and other fun recipes and information, visit www.cookit.e2bn.org. For information about Fergus Henderson and St John Restaurant, please visit www.stjohnrestaurant.co.uk.