Cookery in Schools

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

Did Home Economics in the late 70s/early 80s. In my school, both sexes did all the subjects like cookery, metalwork, woodwork etc.

I can't honestly say I remember any of the recipes as we seemed to cook bizarre seventies dinner party food like pineapple upside-down cake and cheese straws. I probably learned more basic cookery from 'helping' my mum at home than I did at school.

I still can't make pastry to this day, as my hands are too hot

As Kirstie and I have obviously been living parallel lives please just assume everything Kirstie did, I did too...including upside-down cake (mine was pear). I can make pastry, but it's not great.

In the first two years of Comp, we rotated (girls and boys) between subjects such as home economics, metalwork, woodword, tech drawing and needlework. In third year you picked one 'craft' subject so I chose home economics. Years four and five I didn't take it as an option for my O Levels. I still have my hand-written school cookery books and I still follow the recipe in them for gingerbread

In addition to this I was also fortunate to come from a family that had 'proper' meal times, cooked food from scratch and ate together round the table every evening, making cooking and eating a family activity. I learnt how to produce cheap but wholesome meals at home.

I wonder if we have such an outbreak of fat children because food is cheap, stodgy and plentiful (back to the chicken argument here) and less families seem to value eating together? The amount of fat kids I used to see on their way to school in the morning stuffing crisps and chocolate into their face was worrying. You also see them on the streets at lunchtime shovelling chips and burgers down their neck. I'm sure it's not just nostalgia that makes me think school dinners were a lot more healthy in my day. Good on todays TV chefs for trying to make us more 'food aware'.

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

As Kirstie and I have obviously been living parallel lives please just assume everything Kirstie did, I did too...including upside-down cake (mine was pear). I can make pastry, but it's not great.

In the first two years of Comp, we rotated (girls and boys) between subjects such as home economics, metalwork, woodword, tech drawing and needlework. In third year you picked one 'craft' subject so I chose home economics. Years four and five I didn't take it as an option for my O Levels. I still have my hand-written school cookery books and I still follow the recipe in them for gingerbread

Ah, needlework. Poor, elderly Mrs Trethewey and her early, medically-recommended retirement.

Skirts with elasticated waists, twee gingham peg-bags and hideous tapestry wall-things.

I haven't picked up a needle since.

[machiavelli]

We did some cooking ('home ec' we called it) pre options at 14 but only seemed to make cakes. Great for a balanced diet.

I remember the two 16+ physics choices: option P - 'further physics for todays world', which I took was about how nuclear reactors work. I had a look at the option Q - 'further physics for the home' exam papers - they were mostly about how kettles and toasters work.

[hogen-deifar]

Originally Posted by dry suit diver

I struggle to see how they are going to fit it in what with all the other compulsory stuff tha ' must get taught' like a foreign language.

ah well lets see how much they screw the schools up with this one

Jaye started at senior school in September 2006. She's now in second year (or year 8 for the young people here) and enjoying it much more than in her first year. The reason? Clips. And for those who don't have kids you won't have a clue what this is! I didn't either! It's basically lessons on live, social skills etc. Someone locally was attacked over Christmas a few years ago, and because Jaye knew the victim she was asked to bring in newspaper articles and the whole thing was discussed. (The guys a diver down the club I learnt to dive with and there's others here who know him too.) Why it's wrong etc. And they have about ten clips lessons a week! Go figure!

IMHO, I think this sort of things - the right's and wrongs of life, manners, respect, cooking, etc etc etc - should be taught at home. School is for learning normal subjects. They shouldn't have to teach manners and how to respect others at schools.

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

I told my boys that women loved men who could cook. And they especially loved blokes who could wash and iron and kept the hose tidy too. It worked.

Dressed to the left or right?

[hogen-deifar]

Mini-Dazs has just got in from school and asked if it would ok if she did some baking! She fancies making a cake or something. Off she trotted to her room, got the recipes she's been using at school and is now proceeding to make scones! A trip to Tesco is now necessary to purchase some clotted cream to go with the jam that I will putting on top on said scones later on!!!!

Anyone for a cup of tea and a scone?!?!

And schools are being berated for not teaching cooking!!!!!

She's now made the cakes and is WASHING UP THE STUFF SHE USED TO MAKE THEM?? I need to sit down with a cup of tea!!!!

[Madfish]

My sausage rolls were like bricks, but my Victoria sponge was superb (according to my granny) and I still I still can't look a pineapple up-side down cake in the face ahh memories.........

Di

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Madfish

My sausage rolls were like bricks, but my Victoria sponge was superb (according to my granny) and I still I still can't look a pineapple up-side down cake in the face ahh memories.........

Di

You too, eh?

Rock buns, scones, jam tarts....all of them tinged with grey where the dirt from my hands came off on the pastry.

[paramedic paul]

SWMBO and I got together at a very early age (OK i was a cradle snatcher ) she was still at school.

One day I was at her house waiting for her to come home when she waltzed in with some Lemon Curd tarts.

Being the adoring boyfriend I had one with a cuppa and it nearly pulled out every tooth i had. Obviously i said it was gorgeous (had no choice with the mother in law staring at me!)

Funnily enough 25years later she still can't bake!!!!!!

[Madfish]

Originally Posted by Madfish

My sausage rolls were like bricks, but my Victoria sponge was superb (according to my granny) and I still I still can't look a pineapple up-side down cake in the face ahh memories.........

Di

Originally Posted by Kirstie

You too, eh?

Rock buns, scones, jam tarts....all of them tinged with grey where the dirt from my hands came off on the pastry.

I think we should have a poll - pineapple or pear? Where do you put the glace cherries on a pear USDC? Not you Helen

Di