About the Guests:

Stephanie Alexander AO is one of Australia's most revered chefs and food educators. With a legacy of over 17 authored books, including the widely acclaimed "The Cook's Companion," she has significantly influenced how Australians perceive and interact with food. An award-winning restaurateur, Stephanie founded the Kitchen Garden Foundation, which integrates gardening and cooking education into schools, fostering a connection between kids and the food they eat.

Angela Brown is an educator at Hillvue Public School in Tamworth, where she implements the Kitchen Garden Program to instill a love for gardening and cooking in students. Working with a diverse student body, including a significant Indigenous population, Angela is dedicated to providing practical and educational experiences that empower students to cultivate sustainable food practices.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kitchen Garden Program plays a crucial role in educating students about the origins of food and sustainable practices.
• Stephanie Alexander's vision for a connected, community-oriented food education has empowered over a thousand programs across Australia.
• Angela Brown's firsthand experiences reveal how gardening and cooking can positively impact children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Emphasising experiential learning, the program teaches children patience and respect for nature's cycles, fundamentally altering their food perceptions.
• The program’s success relies heavily on support from school leadership and the engagement of community volunteers, creating a sustainable model for growth.

Notable Quotes:

• "The whole evening thing was the culmination and the high point of the day." - Stephanie Alexander AO
• "If we expose children to a really positive intervention in schools, we have some hope of changing the habits of those kids for the rest of their lives." - Stephanie Alexander AO
• "You have no idea how this has changed the eating behavior of our children." - Angela Brown
• "Sitting around a table and eating together is really the highlight for them." - Stephanie Alexander AO
• "If I ruled the world, this program would be in every single school." - Angela Brown