Ysgol Penweddig – Discovering the Science of Cheese Making

In September 2024, Mark Jones, our Technical Manager, along with Ceris Griffiths, our Marketing Officer, visited Ysgol Penweddig to collaborate with their Year 8 ‘Chefistry’ crew. This unique blend of science and culinary arts set the stage for an inspiring session on cheese-making.

Mark led an engaging presentation, delving into the fascinating world of cheese production. The pupils not only learned about the chemical processes involved but also participated in hands-on experiments, such as separating the curds and whey. The interactive session certainly impressed them and sparked lively discussions and insightful questions.

“It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and curiosity of the students,” Mark shared. “Experiences like this help to demystify the food production process and show the dynamic opportunities in food and drink innovation.”

The session left a lasting impression, with students gaining practical insights into food technology while developing a deeper appreciation for the industry.

Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn – From Farm to Fork

In December 2024, Phoebe Evans, Assistant Food Technologist, and Gina Sarracini, Senior Food Technologist, visited Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn as part of the school's theme of ‘From Farm to Fork’. The aim was to help students understand the journey of food the food they eat.

Phoebe led the sessions, which catered to mixed-age groups ranging from Nursery to Year 6 (ages 4-11). The discussions began with a relatable question: “What did you have for breakfast?” From there, students explored where their meals come from, learning about the various products animals provide and the processes that transform these into food.

Highlights included fascinating facts, such as how many nuggets come from a single chicken and how much ice cream can be produced from one dairy cow. Phoebe also explained the journey animals take from farms to supermarkets and butchers, simplifying the food supply chain process for the younger students.

The session concluded with a lively quiz to test the students’ newfound knowledge. Questions like “What is black pudding made of?” and “What is flour made from?” encouraged active participation and reinforced key learning points.

“I was delighted to be invited to Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn to explore their fascinating theme, 'From Farm to Fork.' It was a pleasure to engage with the children, showing them where various meals originate on the animal and explaining the incredible journey our food takes to reach our plates. I hope the session was both enjoyable and insightful for them,” Phoebe reflected.

Ysgol Bro Teifi – Tasty Careers Challenge

Rhian Jones, Food Technologist, and Phoebe Evans, Assistant Food Technologist, visited Ysgol Bro Teifi to support Year 9 pupils in the Tasty Careers Challenge. This initiative, a partnership between Careers Wales, Castell Howell Foods, the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Wales and Seren, tasked students with designing a new healthy food or drink product using as much local Welsh produce as possible.

The challenge tested the students’ skills and ingenuity: the product needed to be innovative, sustainable, offer clear health benefits and present a strong commercial proposition. Rhian and Phoebe were thrilled to judge the entries and mentor the Merched Mêl team, who progressed to the next stage of the competition.

“It was fantastic to be part of this inspiring event! Well done to all the participants,” Rhian commented. “We’re excited to see how the Merched Mêl team’s ideas develop and wish them the best of luck in the next round.”

Congratulations to all the pupils who took part in this challenge. The creativity and effort displayed by the students highlight the incredible potential within the next generation of food innovators.

Inspiring the next generation of food technologists

These visits demonstrated the power of hands-on, interactive learning to spark interest in the food and drink industry. By sharing their expertise, the Food Centre Wales team aimed to inspire students to consider the exciting career opportunities within this diverse and innovative food and drink sector.