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Last time celebrity chef Michael Van de Elzen was in Pakiri, he was frying up a fish after proposing to his wife. This time he had a pan in hand, but a different message to deliver.
The Kiwi cook hit the spotlight in 2011 when his show The Food Truck became the first in New Zealand to receive better ratings than the news.
After delivering the ‘eat healthy’ message on television, this year he decided to travel to 47 locations and inform children about how to cook simple, but proper meals.
Pakiri School was the 43rd destination on his trip and children came to hear him from several surrounding schools.
“One of the reasons I’m doing this tour is that child obesity is a growing epidemic and someone needs to do something about it,” Michael says.
His 45-minute segment, which he has now delivered to more than 7000 children, gave examples of how to make healthy and tasty cordial, corn fritters and chicken. He even had his own spin on two-minute noodles.
Michael demonstrated safe cooking practices and explained the unfortunate effects of ingredients in unhealthy foods.
Some of his tips included replacing sugar with honey and crumbing chicken instead of deep frying it.
“I’m showing children they can still have foods they want and enjoy them, but still eat healthy at the same time,” he says.
Michael addressed parents who attended, reminding them of the role they play in helping their children eat well and the importance of eating well themselves.
“My partner and I were trying for a baby through IVF and the first two times it failed. Before we tried again we were told to reconsider our lifestyle choices and one part of that was changing our diet.
“We now have two beautiful daughters and I firmly believe if we hadn’t started eating healthy, we wouldn’t have those girls,” he said.
His final tips were to be patient with children in the kitchen and let them get involved.
Pakiri School principal Ingrid Stewart was delighted to have Michael address students.
“Michael was a real highlight with his child-centred approach and his humour, which the students loved,” Ms Stewart says.
She says the event was a great adjunct to the students’ work with the school garden and allowed them to show Michael their home-made kambucha (tea) and yeast bug for bread.
She notes studies show good nutrition improves learning making the tour pertinent for schools.
Students attended from Pakiri School, Tomarata School, Matakana School, Warkworth School and Mahurangi Montessori.
