Some of our Year 6 pupils were lucky enough to attend the final of this years Great British Menu. Below is the press release from ARCh, who invited the pupils along.
Local reading charity ARCh savours feast of children’s literature
ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children) found itself on the top table when popular BBC 2 show ‘Great British Menu’ celebrated its final stages this week with a banquet finale which will be screened on Friday(15th May) at 8pm.
This year’s culinary creations were inspired by children’s literature and representatives of the Oxfordshire reading charity were honoured and delighted to be recognised for their work with invitations to the banquet in Exeter College, Oxford.
Some of the children who have worked with ARCh reading helpers this year also attended the event, accompanied by teacher Lauren Freedman and ARCh Development Managers Jane Rendle and Elaine Adams.
The group were thrilled to mix with many famous authors and celebrities whilst enjoying a six course banquet prepared by the highly skilled chefs who made it through to the final.
ARCh Development Manager Elaine Adams said: “The food was absolutely exquisite with such imaginative links to famous literary characters and books. As a small Oxfordshire children’s reading charity we felt honoured to get the chance to rub shoulders with so many children’s authors – our own personal heroes ! The spectacular surroundings of Exeter College transported everyone to the magical world of Narnia as characters from children’s books peered round the cloisters completing a truly unforgettable experience.”
Founded in 2008, ARCh is an award winning registered charity which recruits, trains and supports volunteers to work on a one-to-one basis with children in primary schools across the county.
ARCh operates a network of around 300 volunteers working in more than 100 Oxfordshire schools where they support around 1000 children every year.
There are fears that many children will have regressed whilst they have been away from school and the charity is continuing its recruitment operations during the current crisis so that it is ready to supply even more volunteers to schools once they reopen fully. ARCh is calling on Oxfordshire people to sign up to help bring the magic of children’s books into their lives.Those interested in volunteering or supporting the charity in other ways can email info@archoxfordshire.org.uk or visit the website www.archoxfordshire.org.uk for more details.
Great British Menu is BBC TWO’s premiere professional food competition. It has built a dedicated audience over 14 series as each year the country’s finest chefs put their reputations on the line for a supremely tough culinary battle.
The Banquet is the culmination of the series when the final chefs create a sumptuous dinner for 80 to 100 guests in celebration of the chosen theme. This year’s delicious banquet was a magical occasion for our greatest living authors, plus teachers and volunteers who work tirelessly to improve child literacy
