According to the British Nutrition Foundation, 41 per cent of children under the age of eight don’t know where eggs come from, let alone how to cook one. New Zealand’s much-loved celebrity chef Michael Van de Elzen is on a new mission to help tackle Kiwi kids soaring obesity rates with a common-sense approach.
Michael Van de Elzen wants to make sure Kiwi kids know what’s in their food and most importantly how to cook with the release of his latest cookbook written specifically for children, The Good From Scratch Kids Cookbook.
He is also hitting the road, touring New Zealand targeting schools and other community groups linked with children to teach them how to cook. “What I’ve found after working with groups all over New Zealand is that often it starts with the next generation. In most cases if you teach the children, they go home and teach their parents. Obesity causes diabetes and lots of health issues too such as additional pressure on the heart, liver and kidney but also behavioural issues such as concentration and sleep which then impacts on learning which is a disaster for our children. It’s not about reinventing the wheel but changing up some kiwi favourites like fish and chips and pies, and adding a healthy, easy-to-cook twist to them,” Van de Elzen says.
The father of two has been spurred into action over his growing concerns about child obesity in Aotearoa with new research cementing that there is an ever-growing problem. The University of Auckland released research in July that New Zealand’s high obesity rates will only get worse due to unhealthy food environments – particularly in schools. The Ministry of Health puts the current child obesity rate as one in eight children between the age of two-to-14 years.
“After having our two girls, Hazel and Ivy, the reports around child obesity in New Zealand has become increasingly worrying to me. I’m a chef, I want to educate and upskill our Kiwi kids and I feel hugely motivated to make a difference.”
Schools and community groups can apply to have a ‘Good From Scratch’ event in their area, and if successful, will receive an event pack to assist them with the set-up and marketing of the event, right down to the templates of fliers, tickets and a press release. The great news is the group will receive 100 per cent of the ticket sales.
“The ‘Good From Scratch Tour’ is about knowing what’s in your food, and what you’re fuelling your body with. Getting in the kitchen from a young age helps build that association with food, teaches life skills while also knowing how to make healthy meals and snacks,” Van de Elzen says.
Every school that takes part in the tour will also go into the draw to win 12 carry cases of ecostore’s Good Soap For a Good Cause fundraising soaps.
“I have been using ecostore products for years, both in my restaurants and at home. Like Good From Scratch, they really care about what ingredients go into their products and if it isn’t good, it gets the boot and I really respect and appreciate that. Their recycling and sustainability initiatives are fantastic, and I couldn’t think of a better company to partner with when it comes to educating our young Kiwis about looking after themselves and the planet.”
Van de Elzen will be releasing his fifth cookbook on October 5, with the tour beginning on 15 October until early December.
