Cook School Partnership
The Cook School Initiative
Diet, food awareness and the relationship that children in particular have with food has become a major problem in the UK. Government research in 2014/15 showed that a third of children between the ages of 2 & 15 are obese – and it’s getting worse.
When we at Zanussi heard about the work of Amanda Grant and her Cook School initiative, we knew it was an amazing opportunity for us to do our part to help address this situation. We set up a dedicated partnership with one simple purpose – to teach children how to cook for themselves and as a consequence, feel empowered to make better, healthier choices about the food in their everyday lives.
SERIOUS FUN
Our plan to have a positive impact on the community started near our home, in Luton. In 2019, our interactive cooking classes reached over 1,200 primary school students, through events at 4 schools as well as the launch of a 10-week long after school club programme in 10 schools across Bedfordshire and London. Over 1,800 vegetable samosas have been baked and consumed and 4 students won new Zanussi ovens to continue their healthy cooking and eating journey at home.
We’ve been having so much fun that we decided to get REALLY ambitious. So Zanussi x Cook School plans to reach over 30,000 primary school students (and their families) by 2021. To make this happen, we are launching a 10 week digital programme, which will be available to primary schools across the U.K, from July 2021. The course will include access to recipe videos, filmed with Cook School child ambassadors, recipe cards and worksheets for students to complete in school. And best of all, the course will be available absolutely FREE to schools! To apply, just email hello@cookschool.club
Of course, none of this happens without LOADS of hard work. In addition to the amazing work that Amanda & Kristian from Cook School have put into this initiative, we’ve had the financial support of the Electrolux Food Foundation (Zanussi’s parent company), a veritable army of volunteers from Zanussi’s staff as well as the support of the teaching staff at all the schools.
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About Electrolux
Electrolux shapes living for the better by reinventing taste, care and wellbeing experiences, making life more enjoyable and sustainable for millions of people. As a leading global appliance company, we place the consumer at the heart of everything we do. Through our brands, including Electrolux, AEG, Anova, Frigidaire, Westinghouse and Zanussi, we sell more than 60 million household and professional products in more than 150 markets every year. In 2017 Electrolux had sales of SEK 122 billion and employed 56,000 people around the world. For more information go to electroluxgroup.com
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About Electrolux Food Foundation
Set up to support and fund employee-driven projects that take action on food challenges, Electrolux Food Foundation projects should educate and spread awareness amongst consumers to minimise the negative impact on the environment | cook with a limited budget | prepare nutritious food | support people's ability to provide food for themselves.
The Foundation has a mission to inspire and engage 300,000 kids, consumers and professionals on better food habits by 2030.
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About Cook School
Cook School is a not-for-profit initiative set up by established food writer Amanda Grant to offer fun, accessible, achievable and affordable cookery lessons for children from 5-19 years nationwide. Cook School is all about children inspiring children.
Research shows children who learn to cook tend to make healthier food choices later in life, so Cook School aims to equip children with the skills needed to make healthy meals from scratch.
They are then encouraged to repeat the recipe’s at home and feed to their families.
