At the end of November 2024, students from several schools in the Cēsis region visited the Chefs’ House in Līgatne to celebrate the closure of the competition “What Will We Bring to the Table for School Lunch?”, jointly organized by the Vidzeme Planning Region and the municipality of Cēsis. In this activity, the students were asked to think about the kind of food they would like to eat at school and to prepare it themselves, using local, organically grown products as much as possible.
This competition aligns with the establishment of a Bioregion in the Gauja National Park in autumn 2023, where the Vidzeme Planning Region is proud to be one of the 13 institutional partners advocating for increased consumption of organic products. Educational institutions, like schools, play a vital role in this initiative by serving as platforms to promote local produce, benefiting both students’ health and local farmers’ economies.
In preparation for the competition, students documented their cooking experiences through photos and videos, presenting a variety of creative dishes, including beetroot soup, burgers, tacos, and even sturgeon fishcakes. Teachers noted the enthusiasm of their students during cooking classes, where they often engage in meal preparation.
As one teacher remarked, “When asked what we could cook for the contest, the children instantly suggested beetroot soup, highlighting their awareness of local Latvian products.”
At the Chefs’ House, students enjoyed a delicious meal inspired by their competition recipes, which included a gourmet burger and seasonal vegetables, along with delightful desserts.
Chef Ēriks Dreibants of the Chefs’ House, who is passionate about sustainability and responsible eating, emphasized the importance of introducing children to healthy meal options.
“Children enjoy beets and vegetables, and it’s crucial to give them the autonomy to choose their portions,” he stated, promoting the idea of vibrant, varied meals.
