Kapow! Pupils unmask food 'superpowers' at UCB for International Chefs Day

Cookery students from a Wolverhampton high school unmasked the ‘superpowers’ of food and karate chopped unhealthy diets at a UCB event to mark International Chefs Day. 

Eleven year nine pupils from Moreton Community School were given a selection of superhero ingredients to create their own nutritious dishes at the Food for Healthy Heroes-themed event. 

In a Flash, the students had conjured up everything from a sizzling stir-fry with red peppers to a bang, crash, wallop, boiled chicken salad with fresh veg, supported and inspired by UCB Culinary Arts Management undergraduates and rising stars Eliot Lawn and Millie Tibbins. 

Demi Fearon, aged 13, and Fleur Aitchison, 14, who made a healthy chicken stir-fry, were just two of the students who benefitted from the expertise of Eliot and Millie, who are competing with the National English Junior Team in the 2019 Culinary Olympics in Luxembourg. 

“I will probably go into cooking when I leave school, but even if I don’t, it’s important to learn how to cook healthily for myself and my family,” said Demi. 

Teacher of food for Moreton Community School Stuart Ruthren said cooking in a proper commercial training kitchen for the first time was an invaluable experience for the students, who were all awarded a certificate for taking part in the International Chefs Day event. 

“They are used to cooking at school, but this is a different thing,” he said. “They were nervous, but really enjoyed being in a professional setting and learning about different ingredients.” 

Mathew Shropshall, UCB chef lecturer and organiser of the taster day, said: “I’d like to thank the school for participating in the event for International Chefs Day, organised by the World Association of Chefs Societies. It was such a great opportunity to inspire the next generation by making healthy eating fun and exciting, as well as promote cookery as a profession.” 

Over 103 member organisations affiliated to the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) around the world were expected to take part in International Chefs Day (Oct 20), hosting Food for Healthy Heroes-themed workshops and activities for thousands of children. 

Find out more about International Chefs Day 2017. 

Find out more about the wide range of courses available at UCB’s College of Food.