Cooking at school. The actions of the Cooking Club at “Rodion Pedia” School of Rhodes

Neither gastronomy nor cooking subjects are part of the standard educational program of the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs. Very few schools in Greece have cooking classes and a kitchen, with the exception of some private schools that have thought of it, thus significantly contributing to matters of gastronomy and healthy eating lifestyle. At the “Rodion Pedia” School, gastronomy culture had been evolving for years, including all the relevant topics (animal body parts, fish, vegetables and fruits, their cost, etc.). The culture of flavours at the “Rodion Pedia” School is part of its informal education program, which teaches children important life skills.
The program has been designed by the school for the students and their families, who are carried away by their children’s enthusiasm. The benefits are various for the 30 students, who meet every Monday in the Cooking Club and assimilate these benefits through experience. Collaboration between members, keeping things in order, cleanliness, responsibility, health and safety knowledge, creative food economy, consumer consciousness, imagination, creation, orderliness, discipline and fun are some of the things they learn in the Cooking Club. Moreover, they discover traditions from their country, customs in local gastronomy as well as local recipes and products.