VIDEO: Chefs make school flipping fun (From Wimbledon Guardian)

VIDEO: South Thames College chefs drafted in to help Morden Primary School pancake race

12:10pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News By Omar Oakes

Young chefs had their frying pans at the ready as they marked Shrove Tuesday with a pancake race.

Children from Morden Primary School's Year Four class even had specialists to help them with their flipping, as they were helped by chef lecturers from South Thames College.

The college has just opened a new hospitality and catering academy at their Merton Campus in London Road, Morden.

Andrew Pronger, the acting headteacher and race judge, said: “The chefs demonstrated how easy it was to create delicious food that doesn’t have to be unhealthy.

“I hope that days like this will keep our pupils interested in cooking – as a life skill and maybe as something to study further.”

Philippe Degand, chef lecturer of South Thames College, added: “Working with the children today has been great fun.

“Catering is not only a great career choice but the basics of cooking are essential to a healthy lifestyle. “Seeing the enthusiasm of the children we know that the right teaching and the right setting can really keep people fired up.”

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent - the 40 days of fasting practised within Christianity.

A tradition emerged of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday because it was a useful way to use up rich 'pleasure' foods such as eggs, milk and sugar, which are traditionally given up for Lent.