Budding chefs at Plymouth College Preparatory School will soon be cooking up a feast thanks to the opening of a new Food Technology Centre.
Designed in partnership with top chefs, the Tanner Brothers, the state-of-the-art kitchen contains a series of child-sized cooking stations. Each one is equipped with an oven and hob, large work surface, sink and drawers filled with essential cooking utensils. The adult-sized teacher's station is linked to a webcam that feeds to screens around the room so that the children can closely follow every detail of the teacher's cooking demonstrations.
Located in the 'Round House', the specialist classroom has been kitted out and decorated in the style of the Tanner Brothers' leading Plymouth brasserie, Barbican Kitchen. Chris Tanner was on hand to do the ribbon-cutting duties at the official opening.
"We were asked several months ago if we would be interested in becoming involved in the new food tech facility at Plymouth College Prep School", said Chris. "Now, in such a short space of time, a rundown disused building has been transformed into a gastronomic temple! This is a fantastic addition to the facilities and a perfect space to teach the children about everything foodie! It can only ever be beneficial as they learn about food, where it comes from and how important it is to us all but most importantly, how to cook it."
Prep School Headmaster, Chris Gatherer, said: "This facility is already popular with the children who are thoroughly enjoying their cooking whilst at the same time developing valuable life-skills. It gives us a fantastic opportunity to add further to the wide curriculum already on offer at the school."
As well as thanking the Tanner Brothers for their inspiration and support throughout the project, the Prep School's Chairman of Governors, David Woodgate, also thanked the Bailey Partnership for their role in the initial planning and design, and the Plymouth College maintenance team, who undertook the conversion of the former Naval Hospital building.
