A nursery in Edinburgh has won a Jamie Oliver Good School Food award for an innovative family food project which was awarded with a surprise celebrity guest visit to the preschool.
Prestonfield Nursery scooped the Early Years Award in his inaugural Good School Food Awards 2023 which was revealed live on national television on BBC 1’s The One Show on Wednesday, June 29.
Winners were chosen by a host of celebrity judges including Mary Berry, Alex Jones, Joe Wicks, Demi Stokes, Seema Pankhania, George Webster, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Jamie Oliver.
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Cbeebies presenter George Webster presented the nursery with their award on a surprise visit to the school earlier this month.
Prestonfield's Family Cooking project was started in February this year after the children, who love to cook at the nursery, were keen to involve their parents and carers in the experience.
The initiative involves families cooking a hot meal with simple, healthy, affordable ingredients for them to take home for their family meal that evening.
Kids and parents had the opportunity to try new recipes, develop new skills and meet other peers within the school community. The fun project also promotes and enhances healthy lifestyles, and helps close the poverty gap.
Jenny Hennessy, Head Teacher at Prestonfield Primary School and Nursery, said: “We’re utterly delighted to have won the Early Years Golden Spoon from the Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards.
"We’re dedicated to encouraging healthy lifelong habits, and to have this commitment recognised fills us with pride for our school community.
“Our family cooking project is focused on bringing our learners, their families and our staff team together to share recipes, cook alongside each other and enjoy a meal and good company.
"The dedication of all involved has been paramount to its success. We’re looking forward to building on this achievement in the months and years to come.”
Nursery pupils who took part in the cooking project said they loved it. Efe Ustun, five years, said: “I tried a new meal, I did cooking and playing together.” Sophie Wu, four years, said: “I liked tasty meals.”
Parents joined in with their praise as well. Ebru Ustun said: “It’s a great idea to involve parents in the kids’ education. I enjoyed meeting with other parents. The staff have been amazing.”
Ishraq Faraz said: I’ve enjoyed learning new recipes and healthier eating options that the whole family can enjoy. Mhairi Archibald said: “I loved all of it.”
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Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s a real achievement for Prestonfield Nursery to win this national award for their cookery project. It deserves the praise it’s been getting as it really does make a difference to the lives of families.
“Sharing the joy of cooking as a child with your parents is a great idea and means they can have fun cooking a hot meal together or taking the meal home for a family tea. It also helps improves children’s health and helps families struggling financially to eat healthily.”
The award is the latest in a string of accolades for schools and nurseries run by the City of Edinburgh Council.
Hope Cottage Nursery and James Gillespie’s High School both won at the Scottish Education Awards this month and Firrhill High School was short-listed in the TES Awards for the best secondary school in the UK.
