This story is from PNPR: Jamie Oliver was a client of the agency, which set up the Master Classes.
Chefs from Jamie’s Italian Restaurant give two master classes at George Abbot School
Guildford, Surrey, 28th June 2010. If you wanted get up close and personal with local fruit and veg and create wonderful pasta and fresh bread, George Abbot was the place to be last week.
Forty pupils from years 7 and 8 donned their aprons and over two days learned how to make their own specialist foccaccia bread with garlic, thyme and tomatoes, their own fresh pasta and delicious sauces.
In classroom E3 Dennis Duncanson, head chef at Jamie’s Italian in Guildford was delivering master classes with two of his assistant chefs. Mission: to educate, enthuse and inspire the pupils to cook tasty, fresh local food, according to the Gospel of St Jamie and his national campaign for healthy eating.
Dennis, who served his apprenticeship at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Restaurant in London, took the class through various vegetables like wild garlic, heritage tomatoes and a clutch of herbs.
With great energy and the enthusiasm worthy of his mentor, he brandished some asparagus, exclaiming: “This sexy little vegetable’s only in season about one month. Anyone know what this little baby is??” Of course, everyone knew, but were stumped when it came to the horseradish.
First the pupils learned how to make Italian bread with eggs, flour and fresh yeast (“Today’s your chance to smash out a loaf!” said Den, then it was time to make home-made pasta and sauces of their own invention as wonderful smells of baking wafted around the classroom.
He broke up the demonstrations with quizzes, throwing out questions like: Who remembers how much yeast we need for the bread? And giving out prizes like Jamie’s aprons, books and tinned tomatoes. Everyone was wearing bright yellow and green badges which read: ‘I ate all my greens at Jamie’s Italian’.
So, after more than three hours were the student chefs inspired? “Bread’s so much easier and simpler than I thought,” says Helen. “It’s quite hard work but good exercise!”
Maddie reveals that she’s making her pasta sauce with chilli, onion and carrots, while Elliot goes for courgettes, chilli, sage and garlic. “I’ve never done it before and it’s great fun, really interesting and I was inspired by the new tastes and making my own pasta,” he says.
The winner of the first Master Class was David Trollope with his pasta sauce of carrot, mushroom, asparagus, tomato, sage and mushrooms. The prize? His dish will be recreated at Jamie’s Italian and made Special of the Day, on the boards in the restaurant and on its website. He will also be treated to a free dinner with his parents to celebrate.
“I’m really happy and pleased,” says David, “I was really inspired by Dennis.” The second winner the following day was Sean Branch, aged 12, and George Abbot’s Community Arts Co-ordinator, Ruth Cook said: “This is an amazing opportunity for our youngsters to experience working with professional chefs in a really lively and informal atmosphere.
Chefs from Jamie’s Italian Restaurant give two master classes at George Abbot School
“It was really brilliant and I think Dennis will encourage all of us to get involved in food and cooking. Clearly the spirit of Jamie Oliver was here and inspired us all!”
ennis Duncanson said: “We were delighted to do the two Master Classes at George Abbot. The pupils were very responsive and created some brilliant dishes, and this is part of our programme to go round schools to inspire children to love cooking and discover wonderful tastes of fresh, local food.
” It also ties in with our promoting family eating out by letting kids eat for free from our kids menu Monday to Friday.”
Jamie’s Italian is at 13, Friary Street, Guildford GU1 4EH. Tel. (01483) 600 920 and at www.jamieoliver.com/italian/guildford
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