Testimonials
Click here to see pictures of our recent visit to Yealmpton Primary School
"I just wanted to say thank you for last Thursday! Once again the day was thoroughly worthwhile with the Year 5s gaining so much from their experiences. Thank you for making things run so smoothly – meticulously planned as always! This really did help with the overall success of the day and to think that in total we had a little over 100 people ‘through the doors’ – quite remarkable!"
Paul Mason - Widening Horizons Coordinator, Millfields Trust
"All the children enjoyed a fascinating and informative cookery demonstration with lots to taste afterwards. Peter Gorton taught us how to make a vegetable stir fry – it was delicious! One of the best bits, which I caught on camera, was Peter Gorton having one of Beccy’s school lunches! He has also offered to mentor Beccy for the School Chef of the Year competition next year!"
St Giles on the Heath Community Primary School Newsletter
“The Cookery demonstration we received in February last year was fabulous. Peter was so engaging and the banter and chat whilst busy chopping and sizzling was probably even more useful than the cookery skills he shared with our students! Not only did Peter explain the value, economics and ease of good diet and cookery, he covered how to 'win friends and influence people' through food – (great for the lads who'll learn to impress the girls!), the career pathways into restaurant work, TV and the work of a teacher and celebrity chef! The students thoroughly enjoyed the session which was interactive, tasty and fun! I would recommend the 'Food is Fun' strongly on this basis. This is not cookery for the faint hearted.....this is exciting, pacey and it has 'wow'!”
Sharon Davidson, Assistant Head- post 16, Devonport High School for Boys
Peter Gorton and his colleagues brought a vitality into school which most definitely activated the taste buds, both for children and staff alike! The planned interactive food experience allowed our children to observe, participate and respond to his demonstrations and his child-centered approach to learining reinforced the importance of producing healthy food that is good to eat. His personal sense of enjoyment, and good humour captivated his young audience from the moment they met him!”
Mary Wild, Headteacher, Plympton St. Mary C of E Infant School
“Inspiration and enthusiasm were key components of the ‘Food Is Fun’ demonstrations run by Peter Gorton and his team during our Sports Day. Notre Dame’s students, parents and staff appreciated the variety of ingredients; imaginative recipe ideas and active questioning that were used to promote thinking about the pleasure and health benefits to be gained from creative use of food. Through forward planning the team identified what we hoped to achieve from the demonstration sessions and the unique mobile kitchen they used enabled us to locate the demonstration area so that it was easily accessible and attracted lots of interest. Peter led us through the preparation and cooking of a range of dishes and engaged his audience in stimulating conversation to extend knowledge and understanding about food and cooking techniques. He encouraged thought provoking discussion about the ease with which foods can be used and encouraged the use of our senses, most importantly tasting, to confirm just how delicious combinations of flavours and textures can be. These were exciting interactive sessions which were highly memorable and fun!”
Marie-Louise Sessions, Assistant Headteacher, Notre Dame RC School
“Peter Gorton & Castles Kitchens came and presented very successful sessions to all the children in our school in June 2009. They were very well-organised and they set up the kitchen area the previous afternoon, with little fuss or disruption to the running of the school. Every child was able to view the demonstrations as they gave 4 presentations and the children were divided into groups, based on age. They all had the opportunity to view and discuss types of fruit, spices, fish and vegetables. Some children had the chance to use dough to create bread rolls and they all sampled some raspberry muffins. They particularly enjoyed the ‘hands on’ session at the end. These presentations fitted in well to our curriculum on healthy eating – and having opportunities to become familiar with a greater range of foods. Peter Gorton and the team developed a very positive relationship with all the children and extended the children’s learning with their questioning and their responses. We would welcome the opportunity to take part in further workshops – perhaps with smaller groups and more specific objectives that tie in with each groups learning objectives either in science or as part of our ‘healthy Schools’ initiative.”
Andrea Bradshaw, Bere Alston Primary School
"I am writing to say thank you very much for coming to Tamarside Community College on Thursday 4th March 2010 and cooking with a group of parents. The parents loved the session and the feedback has been great. What a boost to both their ego and confidence. They were all thrilled to cook with a professional chef and cook food that would be on offer in a top quality restaurant. This was a great culmination in a project at the school which has resulted in some parents who had never cooked food from raw ingredients before cooking with ingredients that are not everyday items and not panicking or getting it wrong. I sincerely hope that we will be able to work with you again in the future. Thank you so much."
Jan Parkman, Extended Services Development Manager, Tamarside Community College
"I would like to thank you very much indeed for supporting this project with the six Plymouth primary schools. The 'Food Is Fun' sessions with Peter at Woodfield & Mary Deans Primary Schools were greatly enjoyed by everyone. They particularly enhanced the children's understanding of food-related careers, as well as highlighting healthy eating and cooking. Feedback from the children and accompanying teachers has been extremely positive for the sessions."
Jo McCaren, Tamar Education Business Partnership
