Students from Marine Academy Plymouth’s Year 10 and Year 11 catering classes are making waves in the kitchen, thanks to a generous delivery of rope-grown mussels from the Fish in Schools Hero programme.

The 8kg donation, part of a nationwide initiative, was made possible by Offshore Shell, packed by RTShellfish, and delivered by Dfds Group.  As one of 200 schools across the UK to receive this exciting donation, Marine Academy Plymouth students have been putting their culinary skills to the test by preparing and cooking Thai-style mussels. 

The experience is part of the #FishHeroes programme, which aims to give students the chance to prepare, cook, and enjoy fish before they leave school, helping them develop a lifelong appreciation for seafood.  The initiative, which is backed by the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust and managed by the Food Teachers Centre, ensures that food teachers across the UK have the confidence and training to introduce fish-based dishes into the curriculum. 

Hospitality and catering students at Marine Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, learn about a variety of topics including food safety, health and safety and how the sectors operate.

 Jennifer Brimming, Principal of Marine Academy Plymouth said:

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the Fish in Schools Hero programme.  Our students have gained invaluable hands-on experience in the kitchen, learning to prepare nutritious, sustainable meals.  I am sure that the programme will continue to inspire the next generation of chefs, food enthusiasts, and sustainability advocates, one fish dish at a time!”

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust said:

“As a school in Plymouth, an ocean city with a rich maritime history, it’s brilliant to see Marine Academy Plymouth taking part in the Fish in Schools Hero programme.  It’s great that students are connecting with the sustainable food sources that are so integral to our coastal community.”