Kiwi Chef’s Commitment to Changing Child Obesity in New Zealand
New Zealand’s much-loved celebrity chef Michael Van de Elzen is on a new mission to help tackle Kiwi kids soaring obesity rates and is visiting Helensville School as part of his eight week tour. 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. Van de Elzen has jumped in his ŠKODA Kodiaq and will be in Helensville on 29th November to teach our tamariki 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 lots of health problems and side-effects but also behavioural issues, such as concentration and sleep, which then impacts on learning. 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.”
The father of two has been spurred into action over his growing concerns about child obesity in Aotearoa with new research by The University of Auckland cementing that there is an ever-growing problem.
“After having our two girls, Hazel and Ivy, the reports around child obesity in New Zealand have 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.
Helensville School’s PATHS committee are very excited to be hosting local food hero and well known chef, Mike Van de Elzen to our community and we are looking forward to seeing him in action.
Van de Elzen is partnering with ecostore, New Zealand’s leading environmental and sustainable brand, whilst also known for its world leading sustainability practises. Through ecostore’s support, Michael’s cooking demonstrations will open children’s eyes to how fun cooking can be, while speaking to them about the importance of healthy food and healthy kitchen hygiene habits.
“The ‘Good From Scratch Tour’ is about knowing what’s in your food, and what you’re fuelling your body with. Being 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.
“I have been using ecostore products for years, both in my restaurants and at home. Like my Good From Scratch philosophy, ecostore 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 also fantastic, especially the fact their bottles are made from sugar and not petro-chemical plastic, now that’s the type of sugar use I love!”
The Good From Scratch Kids Cookbook is on sale now. To see Michael in action, you can purchase a ticket at the door on the night CASH only, $5 a ticket and childred under 18 free with accompanied with an adult. Thursday 29th November, 6.30pm. Optional for kids to bring a cushion. Because it’s all about getting kids in the kitchen and teaching them healthy food options PATHS wanted to make it accessible for everyone, hence it’s a pretty cheap event.
