Academy of Culinary Arts

“The Academy of Culinary Arts, Britain's leading association of Head Chefs and Restaurant Managers, is delighted to work with British Food Fortnight and is proud to be supporting chefs working in schools.” Sara Jayne Stanes, Director, Academy of Culinary Arts. The academy has over 200 members. Its principal function is to promote public awareness and appreciation of the highest standards of food, cooking and service by example and education. A vital element of this is a commitment to good practice and to the highest standards of food provenance and food quality. They also aim to attract young people into the industry and to motivate them through training. The Academy runs the ‘Chefs Adopt A School' programme that already teams 200 chefs with schools across the country. The workshop sessions that they organise integrate with Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum.

Contact: Alexandra Sinclair Tel: 020 8673 6300

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www.academyofculinaryarts.org.uk

ARAMARK

“ARAMARK is really excited about British Food Fortnight .We are encouraging all our executive chefs to work with schools this year.” Val Carter, Corporate Responsibility Director, ARAMARK. A leading provider of catering and hospitality services with about 1,000 chefs. It is happy to arrange for schools and colleges to visit catering units or to use its facilities to support cooking lessons. Alternatively executive chefs from the company can visit local schools to give talks and cooking demonstrations.

Contact: Charlene Geeves Tel: 020 709 01432

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British Culinary Federation

“The British Culinary Federation is encouraging its members across the UK to get in touch with a local school and take part in British Food Fortnight.” Mark Houghton, Chairman, The British Culinary Federation. The BCF has 600 members and encourages people throughout the industry.

It has an active development programme for young people, giving them the opportunity to experience catering in a number of establishments.

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Tel: 01789 491218

Country Markets Ltd

“Country Markets Ltd feels strongly that teaching young people to cook is a vital way of developing their knowledge and skills for lifelong healthy eating habits, and how better to do this than work with chefs and teachers in our schools. We will, therefore, help and encourage schools local to Country Markets during the Fortnight and beyond.” Margaret Cliff, Chairman, Country Markets Ltd. There are 450 markets around the country selling delights such as baked goods, savouries, vegetarian dishes, preserves and honey. All must be home-produced so there is a wealth of talented cooks on hand.

To find your nearest market to request their help go to www.country-markets.co.uk or Tel: 01246 261508

Craft Guild of Chefs

“We at the Craft Guild of Chefs embrace the chance to work with and be involved with British Food Fortnight. Working with young chefs gives us the chance to educate them about all that is best about the produce we have on our doorstep.”  Andrew Green, Chairman Craft Guild of Chefs. The Craft Guild is the largest and most diverse chefs organisation in the UK. It has 1,800 members who come from all aspects of the foodservice and hospitality sectors working in a wide variety of positions from trainees to top management. The Craft Guild runs educational schemes, such as the Craft Guild Graduate Awards and junior chefs' academy.

Contact: Suzanne Barshall Tel: 020 8948 3870

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Master Chefs of Great Britain

“The Master Chefs of Great Britain was established in 1982 with the aim of exceeding high quality in all aspects of food, with a high level of tradition but always welcoming new ideas. The very essence of MCGB is to promote the best of British; from farming to suppliers, sustainability, regional foods and engaging in education. We at the MCGB, and all our associated suppliers, are very proud to support such a highly successful promotion as British Food Fortnight.”Gerald Röser, Chairman, The Master Chefs of Great Britain. The MCGB has over 200 members. It provides an excellent training ground for young chefs coming into the industry through its own training programme. Sourcing the highest quality produce and preparing it on the premises is key to the success of its membership who put their culinary talents to good use through a variety of charitable events.

Contact: Susan McGeever Tel: 01884 35104

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.masterchefs.co.uk

Professional Association for Catering Education

“PACE is pleased to be actively encouraging catering colleges across England and Wales to work with schools during British Food Fortnight: colleges will invite schools in for cooking demonstrations and suggest to their alumni that they run sessions for schools.” Jim Armstrong, Chief Executive, PACE. PACE aims to encourage catering educational institutions to work together to manage the challenges of continual change within hospitality and catering education. Contact your local college to find out more

Women's Institute

“The WI supports British Food Fortnight in its effort to help inform young people about the variety of food grown in Britain and teaches them how to cook locally sourced products.  Increasing the public's awareness of, and access to, local food will help ensure a healthy population.” Ruth Bond, Chair of the National Federation of Women's Institutes. The WI is the largest voluntary organisation for women in the UK, with 205,000 members in England, Wales and the Islands.  Members are grouped together to form 69 federations, each with its own regional office and many with access to kitchens.  A large number of WI members have expertise in food education; to find your nearest federation, please visit www.theWI.org.uk

Other organisations that can help you teach your pupils how to cook:

• The Kids' Cookery School, London, has produced The Kids' Cook Book which has been “tried and tested by kids for kids”. It uses colourful and fun icons to help children prepare and cook meals using fresh ingredients and inspires and educates children about food. To order your copy Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tel: 020 8992 8882

• “CAALS – Cookery As A Life Skill is delighted to be supporting British Food Fortnight. During this time we will be delivering lessons in which pupils will be creating meals using local, raw ingredients and transforming them into interesting, exciting and healthy British dishes.” Elly Mercer, CAALS. CAALS works with children and young people from 4 – 18 years of age in mainstream schools and special educational needs schools within both the independent and state sectors. It offers practical classes that integrate well within the school curriculum and can also create classes for after-school clubs and parent and children workshops. Contact: Elly Mercer Tel: 01784 497061 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.caals.co.uk

• The Focus on Food Cooking Bus tours the country providing onboard cooking workshops for schools. The fully equipped state-of-the-art kitchen is equipped for 16 students. To apply for the bus to visit your school, see www.focusonfood.org/cookingbuses.html

• And don't forget to ask your school cook if they would like to be involved!