Marlborough Primary School & Nursery in Isleworth used this year’s British Food Fortnight as an opportunity to trial new ideas in the school dining room including the concept of a ‘top table’.

An old duvet cover was used to make a white tablecloth for the top table with a vase of red carnations and red napkins completing the look.  Every day during British Food Fortnight a member of staff hosted five children at the table to teach them about healthy eating and good table manners.  Children also had cooking lessons in their Science and Technology classes and took home their creations, and the recipes, so they could cook the dish again at home with their family.  They learnt how to make Pumpkin, Squash and Carrot Soup with a rustic no yeast Yoghurt Bread and Apple Crumble.  Oliver, in Year 6, said: “This is not just food… it’s Marlborough food!”  The culmination of their activities was a ‘Taste the Difference’ apple tasting day. The local supermarket supplied every child with a Gala and a Cox apple and the children were asked to come up with adjectives to describe the appearance, smell, taste and texture of the apples.  The two week initiative was so popular they are planning to continue the activities year round.