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Famous culinary figures are urging children to receive regular practical cookery lessons
Jenny Garnsworthy Friday 06 March 2026 00:01 GMT- Bookmark
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Three of the culinary world's most recognisable figures – Dame Prue Leith, Delia Smith, and Stanley Tucci – are spearheading a campaign to ensure children learn to cook from their very first days in primary school.
The esteemed trio brought their impassioned plea to Parliament on Thursday, arguing that practical, hands-on cookery lessons are crucial for developing pupils’ culinary abilities, essential life skills, and a foundational understanding of healthy eating.
They are urging the Government to implement measures that guarantee regular practical cookery lessons for children as young as four, right from the start of their schooling.
This push comes amid concerns that the removal of dedicated cooking facilities from schools has relegated hands-on cookery to an infrequent activity, often only accommodated when schedules permit.
The former Great British Bake Off judge, who founded Leiths cooking school in 1975, said: “The best way to create the healthiest generation of children in history is to make sure that they have the skills to cook healthy meals from scratch.
“Practical cookery in primary schools gives children these skills, as well as the confidence and curiosity to cook at home, opening up myriad opportunities for their health, education and futures.”
open image in galleryDame Prue Leith is among famous faces calling on the Government to do more to get children cooking as soon as they start school at the age of four by having access to regular practical cookery lessons (PA Wire)Leiths has previously announced its commitment to teaching every child at state primary schools in the UK to cook, through a new free video-led set of cookery education resources.
The free resources offer every child the opportunity to learn to cook nutritious food from scratch by the time they leave primary school.
Smith, who has sold more than 20 million cookery books during her 50 years in the industry, said: “All I’ve tried to do in my career is take away the fear of cooking, because people can’t cook unless someone shows them how.
“In order to feel confident in the kitchen, cookery lessons need to start early on, in primary school, where children are naturally curious and want to be creative.
“When a child learns to make a simple meal, they’re learning far more than a recipe.
“They’re learning about nutrition, about where food comes from, about self-sufficiency. They’re learning they can feed themselves properly, which is one of the most empowering things we can teach.”
open image in galleryHollywood actor Tucci has become a successful food writer in more recent years (Getty Images)Hollywood actor Tucci, who has become a successful food writer in more recent years, said: “Being a passionate foodie, I do try to instil the same passion in my children.
“So we cook together a lot and make sharing a meal as a family a priority. It does seem a failure of our education system that so many children are leaving school without the skills to cook delicious, healthy meals from scratch.
“When children don’t learn to cook, they miss out on basic skills but also on some of the greatest joys and pleasures of life.
“A passion for food and cooking, an understanding of ingredients and nutrition, they’re all essential to develop happy, independent, joyful, healthy children and future adults.”
Research by Leiths has found that three-quarters (75%) of primary pupils do not receive regular cookery lessons, despite Government guidance that a diet based on natural ingredients and cooked from scratch is linked to positive health outcomes for children and adults.
A Government spokesman said: “Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and we are taking decisive action to tackle childhood obesity.
“Children are already taught about the importance of healthy eating from as early as primary school in science, design and technology, and RSHE.
“We have taken the historic step to offer free school meals to every child from a household receiving universal credit, and we are introducing free breakfast clubs to make sure children start the day with a healthy meal and are ready to learn.”
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