PRIMARY pupils in Broughton are turning up the heat with new cookery classes.

The village school launched Operation Cook Off earlier in the year, following requests from members of the parent council.

The scheme was initially introduced for P7 pupils before the summer break.
And the school has since rolled the cookery classes out to P5 pupils after securing a £9,000 grant from the Clyde Borders Community Fund and energy firm SSE.

Each pupil will participate in six cooking classes, ran over six weeks, creating a tantalising variety of dishes. Then, on the final week, parents, family and friends are invited down to the school, to enjoy a meal they have made.

Lesley Mason, from Broughton Primary School’s parent council, told the Peeblesshire News: “We decided on the project, after running a fundraising event where we hold ‘Come Dine With Me’ nights to raise funds for our village Christmas party. 

“Some of the children were keen to get involved with this for their own friends, and this led to a realisation that many of the children do not get an opportunity to cook at home.”

“Recently, the children have learned to make Spaghetti Bolognaise and Eaton Mess. Upcoming dishes for future weeks are decided by discussion with the children, to try and incorporate their interests, or any topics being covered in class.

“We will roll this out to other age groups, and hope to secure more funding to allow all the pupils in the school to be involved.”

Community interest group, You Can Cook will deliver the cooking sessions to the young budding chefs, with all the ingredients supplied by them. 

The sessions take place after school on Tuesdays, running between 3.15pm to 4.15pm.