Media Release
19/04/2012

The Egg Guy Hits Auckland to Inspire Kids to ‘Just Cook’ This Food Week

Auckland school students are being encouraged to get in the kitchen and give cooking a go, with The Egg Guy heading to Auckland for Food Week to inspire budding cooks through simple and tasty egg recipes.

Eggs Ambassador Ian Thomas (aka The Egg Guy) is thrilled to be part of Food Week (7th – 13th May 2012), and to continue to promote key nutritional messages around eggs and help boost kids’ confidence in the kitchen.

“I’ll be showing kids how simple, fast and yummy egg meals can be through sharing tons of recipes that kids can learn and have fun with too. It’s really about encouraging them to get in the kitchen, rolling up their sleeves and simply having fun,” Thomas says.

Over two days during Food Week The Egg Guy will join 2011 Masterchef New Zealand winner Nadia Lim and Diabetes Project Trust Nutritionist and local foodie Hereni Marshall in ‘Just Cook’ demonstrations held at Otara Town Centre on Tuesday 8th May, and Mangere Town Centre on Wednesday 9th May.

During Food Week The Egg Guy will also head to Manurewa High School and Mount Albert Grammar to extend his hands-on schools programme, which has garnered much positive feedback from students, teachers and parents involved.

“Around 50 per cent of the children I meet have never cooked before and they lack the confidence to simply give it a go. Once they realise that they can create a meal on their own with eggs, their confidence skyrockets with many of them racing home after school to share their new skills with their family,” Thomas says.

The New Zealand Nutrition Foundation’s ‘Just Cook’ message throughout Food Week includes a nationwide ‘Create a Family Meal Challenge’ providing school students the chance to showcase their culinary skills.

One of this year’s four categories is the ‘I Love Eggs Challenge: Family Meal Under $15,’ where students are encouraged to create a dinner dish to feed a family of five for less than $15.00. The recipe must include eggs and ingredients from the ‘Just Cook’ food list. Prizes include an iPod touch 32GB and a selection of cook books.

The two overall winners will win a Kenwood kitchen appliance worth up to $1,800 for their classroom. Entries close Sunday 20th May at 5pm, with winners announced on Monday 28th May.

“Food Week is the perfect opportunity to get the whole family involved in cooking. There’s no need to feel pressure to become the next Masterchef, we just want people of all ages to get in the kitchen to give it a go and discover that simple, value-laden ingredients like eggs can create loads of yummy recipes,” Thomas says.

To be involved in Food Week 2012’s cooking demonstrations, which include tastings, spot prizes and free health information head along to the Just Cook free public events happening in the following two South Auckland locations:

Tuesday 8th May
Otara Town Centre
11:00am – 1:30pm

Wednesday 9th May
Mangere Town Centre
11:30am – 1:30pm and
3:30pm – 5:00pm

ENDS


Editor’s notes
For more information on The Egg Guy, nutrition and health, kids and education and egg recipes, tips and facts visit www.eggs.org.nz

Food Week
This New Zealand Nutrition Foundation initiative aims to build confidence in the kitchen by teaching Kiwis how to cook at home using seasonal produce and basic ingredients. The annual event is based around the Just Cook Food List – a selection of pantry and fridge/freezer essentials that all New Zealand households should have on hand and can be used as the basis for creating affordable and delicious meals.

Food Week events will be taking place throughout New Zealand and will include Just Cook demonstrations, community and health organisation initiatives, and the Just Cook Create a Family Meal Challenge for teens.

For more details on Food Week and the ‘Create a Family Meal Challenge’ visit www.justcook.co.nz

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