A new GCSE in Food and Nutrition is expected to prove popular as young people are currently tuning in to foodie shows such as Great British Menu and The Great British Bake Off.
The new comprehensive qualification will replace the previous GCSEs in Hospitality and Catering and Food Technology, and its aim is to equip learners and students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook and apply the principles of food science, nutrition and healthy eating.
Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is one of the organisations which supports the course and provides training and materials for teachers. HCC is engaged in a variety of initiatives to share the latest information about the role of red meat in a healthy and balanced diet.
These initiatives include supporting school events and hosting an education day at its stand in the Royal Welsh Show.
Elwen Roberts, a popular chef on S4C and HCC’s Consumer Executive, explained that the new qualification is very timely: “Cooking is an increasingly popular pastime for young people, and can lead to a range of rewarding careers in hospitality and tourism.
“But the course will also be extremely attractive for students who are interested in expanding fields such as product development, dietetics and sports science.
“Through this new GCSE course, students can learn for instance how lean red meat is a good source of iron, protein, zinc and several vitamins, and is naturally low in sodium, but of course it’s best consumed as part of a healthy balanced diet.”
She continued: “Food provenance is a key part of the new specification. Students will learn, for instance, about schemes such as the flagship PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status which Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef enjoy.”
The new GCSE will be discussed at the HCC Meat and Education Conference in Cardiff on 19th November.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
