PUPILS at The Minster School, Southwell, on Tuesday took part in a challenge to create a British menu.
SLAVING over a hot stove are Bryn Plume, 12, left, and Ellie Hudswell, 12.
Pupils aged 12 and 13 entered the Masterchef Challenge in which they created a menu and cooked a meal.
The project, run by the school’s languages and technology department, was part of the Comenius Project, run by the British Council, in which the Minster is working with schools in Spain and Italy to develop cultural understanding and awareness.
The Minster School received £25,000 towards the project, which involves pupils in years eight and nine.
Pictures of the dishes created were uploaded to a forum created for the schools to inspire the Spanish and Italian students to learn about British cuisine.
Among the items on offer were crumbles, toad in the hole, shepherd’s pie, scones and Victoria sponge.
Languages teacher Miss Amy Walter said pupils were challenged to cook traditional British dishes.
She said: “They worked in groups to come up with quintessentially British menus and then they worked to produce a three-course meal.
“The idea is that they will be able to discuss what they have done with students in Spain and Italy and those students will be able to see what we eat in Britain.”
Pupils have previously tried a pasta recipe posted on the forum by students in Italy.
Sarah Burke, 13, said she was enjoying learning about new cultures.
She said: “I like being able to share our culture and being able to make friends with other people around the world.
“I’m really excited to visit them. It should be a great experience.”
Sarah made a Victoria sponge and a cherry crumble.
She said: “I thought they were both very British and I added cherries to the crumble to make it a twist on the old-fashioned apple crumble.”
Josh Leeson, 12, made trifles and chocolate puddings for his British dishes.
He said: “I’ve had both of them all of my life. They are my favourite puddings and I think they are quite British.”
Bryn Plume, 12, who made scones and cottage pie, said he enjoyed cooking the dishes.
Ellie Hudswell, 12, said she liked to talk to students in Italy and Spain and was looking forward to sharing recipes.
Later in the year year nine pupils will take part in drama performances, which will be filmed and put up on the forum.
