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<\/a><\/p>\nBodnant\u2019s farm shop also stocks eggs produced by rare breed hens tended by pupils at the school – a box of the multi-coloured eggs has winged its way to Jamie Oliver along with a copy of a cookbook penned by the youngsters.<\/p>\n
Head teacher Mr Jones said: \u201cThe chutney recipe was one I was given years ago when I worked at a butterfly centre in Anglesey, and I make it each year. The best thing is that it doesn\u2019t involve cooking, as the ingredients sit in their own juices.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe children collected apples from the school orchard, and we bought a few more, as well as new jars and lids. The other ingredients are onions, sultanas, dates, ginger and brown sugar.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe chutney was made by a group of children aged nine to 11, and they had great fun without realising they were learning a lot about maths and literacy – weighing and measuring ingredients and then watching the changes take place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe took advice from the Food Standards Agency about hygiene and labelling to make sure we had everything right.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sold our first batch at a school fair and realised how popular they were, so we made more and took it along to Bodnant, and they went very well. We\u2019ll be making some more because so many people have asked to buy a jar. This time, the children will be showing other pupils how to make the chutney, so they all learn new skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the first school in Wales to join Jamie\u2019s Kitchen Garden education project, which includes online resources for teaching staff to help children learn how to grow food and to cook nutritious meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were delighted when Jamie sent us a message on Twitter saying he thought the chutney was beautiful, and added a kiss – for the children that really made a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
The profits from the chutney and egg sales at Bodnant are ploughed back into the school\u2019s educational budget.<\/p>\n
Bodnant Welsh Food Centre managing director Chris Morton said: \u201cWe aim to showcase the best of Welsh produce – and this is one of the best chutneys I\u2019ve tasted, and certainly ranks alongside the others that we stock on a regular basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe school\u2019s eggs continue to be very popular so our customers knew that they could expect the chutney to be excellent quality as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting children to understand about how food is produced, and what is involved from the field through to kitchen and finally to the shop, is really important.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Jones is to be congratulated in his approach to education and nutrition \u2013 I look forward to seeing him and children back at Bodnant\u2019s farm shop with their next batch of chutney.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the children at Bodnant encouraging shoppers to sample the chutney was 11-year-old Year Six pupil Nel Pethig from Colwyn Bay<\/p>\n
Nel said: \u201cI really enjoyed it at Bodnant today and when they told me I was coming here I was very happy. I feel proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow Year Six pupil Ieuan Lancaster, aged ten, from Llandudno, said: \u201cI enjoyed making the chutney. It was a lot of fun to make it and cut up the onions, and it tastes really nice. I\u2019m really excited about Jamie Oliver tweeting about us because he is a big star.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bodnant Welsh Food centre at Furnace Farm, Tal-y-cafn, in the Conwy valley, has its own dairy making cheese and ice cream, plus an on-site bakery and butchery, with award-winning pies. There\u2019s also a wine store and tea rooms plus the Hayloft restaurant and farmhouse accommodation. More details at www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk<\/a> or call 01492 651100<\/p>\n