CHILDREN have been having fun and building their confidence in the kitchen at a summer food academy held at Quebec Park’s Cafe 1759.

Every Monday and Tuesday during the summer holidays, youngsters aged four to eight, and nine to 12, each followed a healthy recipe to produce a meal or a lunchbox treat.

The aim of the project was to boost children’s confidence in the kitchen and improve their knowledge of healthy eating and portion sizes.

The sessions were part of a partnership between Radian, which owns Cafe 1759, and East Hampshire District Council, which funded the project.

Teaching was provided by Bordon Junior School year-five teacher Debbie Wren and teaching assistant Louise Gubby.

Susi Drummond, community development officer at Radian, led the project. “We are fully committed to the Healthy New Town ethos of Whitehill and Bordon,” she said.

“We’re really pleased to have had an overwhelming response to the summer academy.

“We are planning to run more of these courses and hope to accommodate every child who has showed an interest in attending.”

Ferris Cowper, East Hampshire District Council’s portfolio holder for Whitehill and Bordon, added: “The ability to prepare and cook food is an essential life skill.

“These fantastic courses will empower young people with the knowledge they need to make healthy choices at meal times and share this knowledge with their friends and family.”

Cafe 1759 is located at the Quebec Park housing development, in Camp Road. The site was formerly a barracks.