Their cookery lesson, arranged by Variety Wessex, gave pupils the chance to taste oysters, mussels, prawns and, of course, the famous restaurateur Rick Stein’s renowned fish and chips.

Chef Razvan showed the children a large Atlantic cod, a pair of live lobsters and a big common crab. After examining them carefully several children were brave enough to hold the lobsters. Razvan gave the children various cooking tips before demonstrating how oysters, mussels and prawns are cooked in just a few minutes and each child had the opportunity to taste the results. “Just an hors d’oeuvres”, Razvan explained, “you will have a bigger main course!” Then plates of the Rick Stein’s luxury take on Fish and Chips arrived and the children tucked into them declaring them to be “absolutely delicious”. There were huge smiles when scrumptious ice-cream was served for dessert.

The children had the chance to get up close and personal with the sea creatures

This was the fourth time Rick Stein Sandbanks has offered a cookery class for young carers and nurture group children from Bethany School. The lessons are part of Variety, the Children’s Charity’s Great Days Out scheme that aims to give disadvantaged children positive memories. Certainly Chef Razvan provided a food experience to remember.

The children tried all sorts of new seafood

Frances Cornelius, chair of Variety Wessex, said:

Thank you Chef Razvan and all the staff at Rick Stein Sandbanks for making this such an incredible experience for these deserving children. Thank you too Lorraine and Lennie Segal for arranging a wonderful culinary adventure that makes a fantastic memory, not only for the children, but for the teachers too.

Elisabeth Rawson-Jones, Pastoral Lead at Bethany Junior School, said:

What an incredible learning experience this was for the 11 lucky children who attended! Where on a school trip do children get the opportunity to hold fresh crabs and lobsters, to try eating oysters, mussels and prawns, all freshly cooked by a wonderful chef right before their eyes? Such an amazing experience for them and one they will certainly remember forever. Thank you Variety, Lennie and Lorraine, chef Razvan and everyone at Rick Stein Sandbanks who made this such an amazing and memorable day. A big thank you too to Shan and the BC Club who donated the Sunshine Coach that the children travelled in.