Kids taste test cooking classes

Chef Andre Tabet hosts the Food Circus at the Booval Fair Shopping Centre with school holiday cooking classes for kids.

Damian Dunlop

THEY might be on holiday from school, but Ipswich children have still been learning valuable lessons this week.

More than 120 children have taken part in free cooking classes with professional chef Andre Tabet at Booval Fair shopping centre.

Mr Tabet said it was vital youngsters learned to cook healthy food for themselves to combat Australia's childhood obesity problem.

“If kids can play with playdough they can help in the kitchen, they can start to help as soon as they are confident with their hands,” he said.

While all around them shoppers line up at fast-food outlets, Mr Tabet has been teaching daily classes of youngsters how to prepare a fresh salad and a tasty bowl of pasta.

Seven-year-old Zeth Petralia, of Booval, dragged his mother, grandmother and brother along to the shops to take part in the class.

Zeth said he loved to help cook at home, but his grandmother Denise Schroecler admitted she had a hidden agenda for getting him to take part.

“If he makes a meal himself he is much more likely to eat it,” Mrs Schroecler said.

Ipswich mum Olivia Newman said the classes were a fantastic opportunity for her two young daughters, Abby and Lucy.

“Learning to cook and eat healthily will give them good foundations for later in life,” Mrs Newman said.

The classes, which have been running all week and end tomorrow are run by Mr Tabet's Food Circus company, which was founded 13 years ago to promote healthy eating among children and adults.

Government studies show 78 per cent of four to eight-year-olds do not get their required intake of vegetables. This figure goes up to 95 per cent for 14 to 16-year-olds.

Mr Tabet, who is based on the Gold Coast, said parents need have no safety fears about children harming themselves in his workshops.

Bookings at Booval Fair are essential on 3281 0655.