Students at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent have received a one-of-a-kind cooking demonstration from Crystelle Pereira, cook, author and presenter, in partnership with Action Against Hunger, after winning a nationwide competition run by Russell Hobbs in partnership with the charity.
The Staffordshire primary school was crowned the winner following expert and celebrity judging of more than 900 individual entries from across the UK. The prize formed part of a bundle worth just under £2,000, designed to inspire children to develop confidence and creativity in the kitchen while learning about the power of nutrition.
Aimed at encouraging the next generation of home cooks, Crystelle, who captured the nation’s attention as a finalist on the Great British Bake Off in 2021 and has since become a No.1 bestselling cookbook author, broadcaster and food content creator, visited the school to deliver an interactive cooking demonstration for pupils.
During the session, Crystelle whipped up fresh sweetcorn, spring onion and cheddar muffins. Students were able to learn first-hand, gaining practical cooking skills and inspiration to try new recipes at home.
The competition was launched by Russell Hobbs in partnership with Action Against Hunger to celebrate the importance of food education and empower young people to build lifelong cooking skills. Alongside the demonstration, the ‘Plates for Change’ campaign also provided free educational materials to help teachers spark meaningful discussions in the classroom and at home. Pupils were encouraged to submit one-of-a-kind plate designs that demonstrated their understanding of world hunger and the power of nutrition following the lessons.
Crystelle also presented the winning student with their prizes. The winning entry was by Silas, age 8, who also received a Russell Hobbs ice-cream maker, supermarket vouchers and a copy of Crystelle’s Flavour Kitchen cookbook, as well his unique, winning design brought to life on a ceramic plate.
Discussing the demonstration, Crystelle said: “It was a real privilege to spend time with the students at St Mary’s and see their enthusiasm for food and cooking firsthand. Learning how to cook is one of the most valuable skills a young person can develop – it builds confidence, creativity and a better understanding of nutrition.
“What I loved most about this initiative is that it encourages children to think not only about the food on their own plates, but also about the wider issues surrounding hunger and access to nutritious food around the world. The students brought so much energy and curiosity to the session, and I hope they leave feeling inspired to keep exploring, creating and enjoying food for years to come.”
Head of School, Debra Statham from St Mary’s added: “We are incredibly proud of our students for taking part in this competition and are delighted that they have had the opportunity to enjoy such a unique and inspiring cookery experience.
“Welcoming Crystelle was a fantastic way to celebrate the students’ achievement, and the session sparked so much enthusiasm around cooking, creativity and healthy eating. It was wonderful to see our pupils so engaged and excited throughout the demonstration.”
This nationwide competition forms part of Russell Hobbs’ three-year global charity partnership with Action Against Hunger, supporting its mission to end life-threatening hunger and malnutrition.
Through the partnership, Russell Hobbs has committed to a minimum donation of £270,000 over the next three years to support Action Against Hunger, working together to redefine the kitchen as a force for good.
