Cumbrian pupils have been busy creating recipes for a new cookbook – the ‘Cook Bake Grow - Lockdown Aspiration in the Kitchen’.

The recipe book was launched by the Primary Business Partnership (PBP) to get children cooking with their families and to brighten up lockdown. It features winning creations from Cumbrian children alongside recipes from top chef Simon Rogan and other local food fanatics who judged the competition.

In his foreword chef Simon Rogan writes: “I was so pleased when the Primary Business Partnership asked me to be a part of this competition to inspire young people to get into the kitchen, get creative and cook.

“This initiative has been a great opportunity to show the children the different career opportunities that are available within Cumbria. I hope this book and all of the contributors also inspire you to think of a career working with food.”

The PBP team organised a competition to get children cooking during lockdown. The cookbook features 12 of the young cooks’ recipe entries.

It is currently available as a free download from the PBP website: https://primarybusinesspartnership.org.uk/crl/university-of-cumbria-supporting-schools/, but everyone who gets the book is being encouraged to donate to local food banks across Copeland and Allerdale.

Overall winner was Molly Barlow with her cheesy pie. Molly, from Bridekirk Dovenby CofE Primary School, chose the recipe because it recalled her favourite cheese pie school dinner which she was missing during lockdown. She was also able to use local eggs, and mint grown by her uncle in his allotment.

Competition runners-up were Aiden Kinsale - Monkwray Juniors, Annabelle Fye and Hannah Whitfield Bott from Ennerdale CofE Primary, Antek Lewucha - Thomlinson Juniors, Fletcher Darren Hanley - Richmond Hill Primary, Isla Thomas - St Herbert’s CofE Primary, Phoenix Evans - Oughterside Foundation School, Riley Sinfield - Thornhill Primary, Seth Flemming - Fellveiw Primary, Thomas Briggs - St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary and Thomas West - St Bees Village Primary.

Other tasty recipes in the book include Aiden’s Trinidad saltfish accra fritters, Isla’s tasty vegetable soup, Hannah’s stuffed peppers and pesto rice, Riley’s hot scrunches yummy shaped pie, Annabelle’s pasta bake, Antek’s blackberry muffins, and Fletcher’s chocolate concrete cake.

Throughout the book readers can click on links to watch films or open career cards from the celebrity chefs and local producers who provided their favourite recipes.