The Federal Government of Nigeria embarked on refresher train for Cooks of the Homegrown School feeding Program across all States and the FCT.

The training was in two-phases, the training of trainers which involvles all the Master Cooks in the 744 LGA in Nigeria and a Step Down training by the Master Cook to all cooks across the LGs.
The Lagos State training for cooks was done on Tuesday 10th of October and 11th of October. The Master Cooks had their trainong at the Home Economics Centre in St. Agnes Primary School, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Federal Government representative as well as all relevant State Government representative were in attendance with the 20 local government master cooks in Lagos on Tuesday.

Ms. Comfort Alli the Consultant, Lead Monitor for Lagos State Homegrown School Feeding Program and also the facilitator of the training while speaking with the Master Cooks emphasised on importance of personal hygiene and cleanliness especially during preparation of food for children.

She enjoined the Cooks to always wash their hands clean and their utensils before preparing food which was demonstrated duringthe training.

“This refresher training by the Federal Government for cooks all over the country under the National Home Grown School Feeding Program is positive gesture which we all will gain from,” she said.

Mr Olalekan Abdulhakeem who is the Program Manager for the Home Grown School Feeding Progam in Lagos State urged the master cooks to always wear their uniforms which is their Aprons and Caps , he also enlightened them on how to serve the school children.

AbdulHakeem also  told the master cooks to treat the children as their biological children and make sure the children have water to drink before serving them.

Mr Bankole Shittu, the Agricultural officer for Lagos state Homegrown School feeding Program said the training help the master cooks to know more ways of cooking while they practicalise, train other cooks and help maintain good hygiene.As a nutritionist, he spoke also on the benefit of different means been prepared for the children and the nutritional value it gives them. He emphasized balancing of eat diet with fruits and vegetables.

The Practical aspect of the training was cordinated by Mrs Filo Odunewu the Head Teacher, Home Economics centre who prepare yam porridge mixed with vegetables, served with chicken along side pproper table setting. The meal was served with orange and garnished with cucumber.

The training withnessed representative of each group of four describing different hygienic ways the childrens meals are been prepared. The means includes Beans and plantain or potato porridge on Monday, white rice with vegetables and chicken on Tuesday, Eba and Egusi with fish on Wednesday, Yam porridge and egg on Thursday and Jollof rice and beef on Friday.

Mr Rotimi and Mrs Dawodu Abolanle from the Home Grown School Feeding Program Lagos State were on ground to support the process

The training came to an end at 3pm, certificates were presented to all 20 participant, there was photosession and the Master cooks were mobilized for the step down training the next day.