The health of Penrith residents is in decline as local families ditch the option of a home cooked meal and turn to fast food for convenience.
Local commercial cookery student, Kayla Cameron is taking the area’s health into her own hands by campaigning to bring a pop-up kitchen to Penrith, which she says has the potential to change Penrith’s eating habits for good.
With the help of the community, Ms Cameron is entering Penrith into Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food pop-up kitchen competition.
“I’d like to see more people cooking healthy meals at home. A lot of people in Penrith are relying on fast food to feed their families – unless you study hospitality or have a love of cooking, not many people know how to cook well at home,” she said.
“Penrith is a fairly active town but I think the way we eat needs to change.”
To be in the running to win the prize, Penrith needs to be able to provide a rent free location to host Jamie’s Ministry of Food pop-up kitchen for 12 months and the initiative needs to have the full support of the community.
Ms Cameron was collecting signatures in Westfield Penrith last weekend, to demonstrate the community’s support, but is still on the hunt for an appropriate location.
The Kitchen will provide hands-on cooking classes for even the most inexperienced cooks, teaching them how to make a nutritious meal from scratch.
“I love Jamie Oliver and what he’s all about. I have seen him change the eating habits of a whole town and I think Penrith is a great place for this change to happen,” Ms Cameron said.
Jamie’s Ministry of Food is a not for profit organisation, teaching communities in Australia and around the world how to shop, cook and enjoy their own home cooked meals.
To show your support, contact Ms Cameron on [email protected] or 0423 951 811.
