Pupils take over restaurant kitchen
Kids’hands-on finish to fish industry project
Ten Blairgowrie High School pupils took over the town’s Little’s restaurant in their Sea to Plate initiative.
The S3 pupils, who are all studying hospitality, prepared food to their own recipes then served nearly 50 customers.
The pupils also visited fish markets in Peterhead, a trawler boat and a fishmonger in Crieff as part of the project, which aims to educate young people about sustainable fishing and the supply chain which enables fish to end up in shops and restaurants.
Parents, grandparents and Little’s customers all enjoyed the threecourse meal, with one commenting that it was a “lovely night”.
Restaurateur Willie Little, who has been a supporter of the project for a number of years, accompanied the pupils throughout the initiative and guided them in the final stage of their journey.
He said: “They are brilliant kids. They have all worked really hard and it’s been great working with them.
“I hope we have broadened their minds and taught them about fish and how tasty it can be and how healthy it is.”
Lynn Smith, principal teacher of home economics at Blairgowrie High School, said: “This has been a fantastic experience for the young people. The whole thing has just been inspirational.
“Willie really goes the extra mile with his engagement with the youngsters by allowing them to effectively take over his restaurant for a full day and they have gained a real insight into all the stages involved in getting fish from the sea and on to the plate to eat.
“It has been great for them to learn that fish doesn’t just come in fingers and it is great for us as teachers to see the pupils come out of their comfort zone and increase their confidence, which was clearly evident in the way they served and interacted with the customers in the restaurant.
“They worked as a team brilliantly and all mucked in and are a credit to their parents, the school and the community. We are very proud of them.”
She thanked Willie, Helen and all the team at Little’s, the parents and families for their support, Seafood in Schools, and the pupils for all their hard work and enthusiasm, saying: “It’s just been fantastic.”
Maria Anderson from project sponsor Seafood in Schools was a guest at the dinner.
She said: “This is just the type of project that we would like to see replicated in other areas.
“It gives the pupils more awareness of life in the industry and gives them skills for work, which is an important part of the curriculum for excellence.
“What Blairgowrie High School has done is embed this project in the curriculum and made it sustainable in itself so that it is not just a one-off occurrence.
“They have ensured that the opportunity is open to other year groups in the future, which is just brilliant.”
She added: “The food tonight was excellent and the service and attention to detail very impressive. It was first-class and a big thanks must go to Lynn for pulling this all together.”
Pupil Chloe Walker said that she had enjoyed the experience and been encouraged by Willie to try new types of fish which she really enjoyed.
Javier Perez-Cuevas said that, although working in the kitchen had been quite challenging as it was so fast-paced, it was a career opportunity he would consider now.
And one pupil, Holly Brough, has even been offered a job at Little’s as a result of the project.
She said: “I really loved the whole thing and its amazing to have been offered a job.
“I’ve already done four shifts here and have cooked fish for my family at home, which they all loved.”