Yesterday I was lucky to attend the press day at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, and see the Henri Le Worm community garden. Henri Le Worm is a character created by Olivier Blanc (son of chef Raymond) and Charlotte Salt. He has his ownwebsite and app which are aimed at encouraging children to engage with food and nature. The app is narrated by Simon Pegg and has a number of games as well as recipes that your little ones can help cook.
Creator Olivier Blanc said that he had modeled the worm on his father and he is featured on the children's menus at Brasserie Blanc. Henri and his amazing cooking adventures brings to life the journey of plot to pot.
The garden was created by former Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins. It was designed with children in mind. He advised that it is important to get little ones interested in the environment and that he often uses a dalek composter when he talks to school groups to engage them. Little man loved the garden and made himself at home by watering the flowers.
All the children were excited by the chickens. Little man has loved chickens ever since we stayed on a farm this Easter. Infact it is activities like this that the team are keen to encourage. Speaking to Raymond Blanc he advised how taking children to Pick Your Own farms, growing their own vegetables and exploring nature are all things we should encourage to help them understand the environment and where their food comes from.
The garden had some fantastic bug houses and little man loved the wormery, Shouting "Wakey up worms!"
We were then treated to a cookery demo from Raymond Blanc. He talked about using seasonal and locally grown produce. He advised us to be careful with the amount of salt and sugar we add to our food. Instead of salt, he suggested using herbs, lemon or vinegar to add flavour instead. He prepared some wonderfully flavoursome and fresh dishes that can be easily made at home.
Seeing the garden and listening to the ideas behind it, really did get me thinking. As a busy Mum I am often guilty of choosing a prepared meal rather than cooking from scratch and it is the added sugar and salt in these dishes that concerns me. I shall be making an effort to involve the children in preparing meals as well as encouraging them to grow more of their own food. We have a bumper crop of potatoes thanks to big man this year so that is a start.
If you are off to the flower show this week and want a sneaky peek at some of the fantastic show gardens you will see then here are some of my favourites.
We had a lovely time at RHS Hampton Court Flower show and I will be making some of the fantastic recipes that we were shown and those from the app too. Watch this space. You can download the app on itunes and android and Henri Le Worm can also be found on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Now that is one worm who knows his social media. Thanks to the whole Henri le worm team for inviting us.
How do you encourage your children to learn about the environment and the food they eat?
Looks like it was a really interesting day out. Different gardens are really interesting, and can keep a kids interest much more than just one type of garden. I've never been to a flower show, but I'm getting more open to it in my 'old' age!
ReplyDeleteThis looks absolutely wonderful. It looks like you had a fantastic day. The food and the activities for the children look wonderful. My daughter loves bugs/insects and anything to do with outdoors. So this would have been right up her street. gREAT POST i enjoyed looking at your day xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time! It's a great idea to create a character to teach the kids. And those flowers look just amazing! #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteGood to hear he was encouraging less salt. Often the chefs I see cooking are very heavy handed in the salt department.
ReplyDelete#sharewithme
Looks great and what a beautiful place. Sounds like you had a great time. Always great to help children learn by creating a character. Clever. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteI suppose it is a bit like the ideal home show but outside. Had to rush back as middle man was taken ill at school, but loved the bits we did see. x
ReplyDeleteThanks. I spoke to the gardener and he really gets the children involved in making the bug houses etc
ReplyDeleteThe smell in the rose garden was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI was pretty impressed as you say often chefs add a lot of salt x
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to be surrounded by beautiful flowers x
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely event! Flowers, fun and food! The app sounds nice too =) #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I have been watching it on the TV in the evenings..
ReplyDeleteLovely to be surrounded by beautiful flowers - makes me think I need to make more of an effort with our garden!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos - so glad you enjoyed your visit and the weather was good to you!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise there was so much for children to do as well as the grown ups xxx
ReplyDeleteLooks like a cool app and a great day out! :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! Awesome photos. All smile with Raymond Blanc :0)
ReplyDeletelooks like a fab day out!
ReplyDeleteI miss living in the SE to visit these, always an inspirational day out. Love the wormery, we've been doing mini beasts in Activity hour here this week #PoCoLo
ReplyDeletelooks like you had a fab time, awesome pics xx
ReplyDeleteAw that is lovely. They had some great bug houses too x
ReplyDeleteIt was boiling! Glad it wasn't the Tuesday x
ReplyDeleteHe is lovely!
ReplyDeleteWish I could have stayed longer but I had a phone call from school - did a quick look round though so was pleased x
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous, looks as if you had an awesomely creative day!
ReplyDeleteMy sister is there today representing Unique. It looks great - and Raymond Blanc is one of my favourites. It sounds like you had a great time. Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
ReplyDeleteJust a shame most of these things are always in London....
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun. Though a worm does seem like an odd choice of animal to be a chef.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great day out. Think I would feel a little let down with my own garden afterwards though.
ReplyDeleteI always think these events give unlimited ideas for your own garden/life. I've never visited a flower show before but it is top of my wish list.
ReplyDeletealways wanted to go, looks fabulous
ReplyDeleteThis looks fab...I live in Scotland so it's not something am able to get to
ReplyDeleteI do love a flower show, but I spend so much.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go there but it is a bit far away for me
ReplyDeleteThe gardens here always look so great, but I have no great ambitions to re-create any at home, if I look at a plant it dies, I most definitely do not have green fingers!
ReplyDeleteit looks amazing there, wish i could be that creative.
ReplyDeletelooks really good here would love to go one day
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day out you must have had - such a beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic bet you had loads of fun :)
ReplyDeleteI always try to show children where their food comes from!
ReplyDeletegreat fun !
ReplyDeleteit always looks so good and pretty! i hope i get to go someday :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a fabulous show, I've never been to a show like this before as I live in Guernsey. I like the worms & the chickens.
ReplyDeleteSadly didn't get a chance to go this year but its on next years wish list.
ReplyDeleteSome great displays!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are amazing, I love the flowers! wow!
ReplyDeleteThe food looks great too.
I would love to go some time
I love the idea of kids knowing where their food comes from. My boy is only at the moment but I fully intend on him helping me to grow veg in the garden - great to see pictures of your little one getting hands on :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks so beautiful! I would love to take the kids there one day.
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