Founded in 2020 by Daniel Wade, Jessica Aggarwal, and Tom Surgey, this Sussex-based charity collaborates with top chefs to provide food education classes in primary and secondary schools aimed at addressing obesity and equipping children with essential cooking skills, fostering positive memories in the kitchen, and nurturing healthy relationships with food.
Now rebranded as Prept, the charity has become the partner for Restaurant’s National Restaurant Awards. It highlights alarming research indicating that one in five children aged 10-11 are classified as obese, with those in deprived areas being twice as likely to be overweight compared to their more affluent peers.
The Primary School program introduces children to various tastes, essential skills, and the hospitality sector, while promoting healthy eating habits. The Secondary School program enhances the existing curriculum by inspiring students to cook and exposing them to the diverse possibilities within the hospitality industry.
In 2022, the foundation successfully raised funds to create a training kitchen at Plumpton College in Lewes, ensuring schools have access to catering equipment and the farm-to-fork concept through a working dairy farm.
Prept unveiled its new name and branding at an event at Mayfair’s Michelin-starred Hide Restaurant, attended by several of the UK’s renowned chefs, including Matt Abe, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Adam Byatt, Tom Shepherd, and Tom and Rob Aikens. Canapés and bowl food were provided by students from St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School in Redhill.
Kate Penfold, headteacher at the school, emphasized the importance of partnerships like Prept, stating, “Working with organizations like Prept provides us with reassurance that we are showing children and young people ways of having a healthier and more fulfilled future as well as opening up a whole new industry that they have never experienced before.” She highlighted how remarkable it has been to witness the growth in confidence among her students.
Rob Aikens acknowledged Prept’s significance to the industry, expressing the joy of sharing knowledge and experiences with the next generation. “We are honored to play a role in their future and are excited to see the next generation grow and develop.”
Aggarwal stated, “It’s amazing to showcase our rebrand to an audience that has supported us over the past three years. Prept embodies the energy and passion our team has for inspiring young people in food and hospitality.” She mentioned the organization’s focus on future growth and the influence of renowned partners like Thomas Franks, who are helping to inspire a new generation of cooks.
