This year, our class have been taking part in a hands-on cooking sessions. The boys have worked incredibly well together as they explored different recipes, showing enthusiasm, creativity and a growing sense of independence. Throughout the activities, they developed valuable life skills such as following instructions carefully, learning about balanced diets and healthy eating, practising safe food handling, managing time, and communicating effectively with their peers.
We made apple tarts, smoothies , pain au chocolat , scrambled eggs on toast and also homemade bagels with bacon.
Smoothies
Pupils selected from a range of fresh fruits such as strawberries, bananas and blueberries, and chose additional ingredients like yogurt or fruit juice to adjust the texture and flavour. They washed and prepared the fruit with care, learning about the importance of hygiene and safe chopping techniques. Measuring the ingredients gave them the opportunity to apply their maths skills in a real-life situation, and using the blender helped them understand how to operate appliances safely. Once the smoothies were made, pupils tasted and evaluated them, discussing which combinations worked best and how the ingredients contributed to a healthy diet.
Scrambled Eggs
Next, the class learned how to make scrambled eggs on toast using the microwave, which many had not tried making before. They cracked and whisked the eggs, adding milk and seasoning where appropriate to alter the consistency and flavour. The boys were careful to monitor cooking time, checking the eggs at intervals and using oven gloves to handle hot bowls. They prepared the toast separately and then brought everything together, taking pride in how they presented their finished dish. This activity supported the development of independence and showed pupils that preparing a nutritious breakfast can be quick and achievable. Some boys even said they had made them at home themselves since!
Pain Au Chocolat
The pupils tried their hand at making homemade pain au chocolat. They learned how to roll pastry evenly, cut it into equal portions and place the chocolate in the centre. Using gentle pressure, they sealed the pastry before baking it and eagerly waited to see how their creations would turn out. This part of the session required patience and precision, as well as an understanding of oven safety. Once finished, the boys were excited to taste the pastries and discussed how they might improve the recipe or try different fillings in the future. We also made some hot chocolate to enjoy with our pastries- a real Friday treat!
Bagels with Bacon
Next up was bagels and bacon using a simple pastry recipe. Working in small groups, they divided tasks between them, demonstrating excellent teamwork. We shaped the bagels into a traditional shape and then spoke about the importance of hygiene, especially when dealing with raw meats. They timed each step carefully so everything was ready at the same moment, showing good organisation and time management. The boys were eager to assemble their delicious creations, buttering the bagels and adding in the bacon. A tasty lunch!
Throughout the lessons the boys demonstrated a wide range of key skills and learned how to prepare food safely and independently. It was a pleasure to see their pride in their work and the excitement they shared when tasting their treats. We are extremely proud of how well the boys engaged with the tasks and we look forward to seeing what they cook next!
Togher Boys' National School 