IT’S not something that people counting their calories would usually order from a menu.
But one Huddersfield chef showed children how pizzas can be a healthy choice – provided they add enough vegetables!
Mohammed Sarfraz, who runs Zain’s Pizzas takeaway in Crosland Moor, led children from Dryclough Infant School through the special cookery class.
He showed the group of 20 Year 2 children how to create heathy versions of the food favourite, from the dough base to toppings contributing towards their five a day portions of fruit and veg.
Flour and dough was flung everywhere as the youngsters got to grips with some weird and wonderful toppings – including one inventive combination featuring strawberries and anchovies!
Mohammed, 39, said the fun session encouraged the children to think about what they eat and show them that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring.
He said: “The kids had a fantastic time. Flour was flung all over the place and they were excited to see the dough thrown in the air in proper Italian style.
“I showed them that their favourite foods can be healthy and hopefully they will go home, tell their families all about it and start cooking with them.”
The 39-year-old former social worker is on a mission to turn around the unhealthy image of fast food.
Staff at his pizza shop have worked to develop a healthy choice menu and use low-fat, low-salt products to keep the calories down.
Mohammed’s business was the second takeaway in Huddersfield to be awarded a gold standard Healthy Choice Award by Kirklees Council and he and staff work with local schools and groups to help educate them on food.
He and head chef Matthew Lamb talked to children about the importance of looking after their health.
The youngsters then put their cooking skills to the test as they made pizzas using fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and as many fruit and vegetables they could cram onto their bases.
Mohammed said: “The kids did a really good job and I was very impressed with their creativity.
“There were all kinds of colours and combinations going on – it was like they were playing with Lego pizzas!
“They were trying new fruits and vegetables for the first time and if there was a topping they didn’t like they could take it off and try again.
“They were working with everything from strawberries and grapes to roasted peppers and courgettes.
“One of the most inventive pizzas I saw had pineapples and strawberries, sardines and roasted vegetables!
“We wanted to show them that while food can be fast it doesn’t have to be bad for you.”
The pizza making session at the Sure Start Children’s Centre next to Dryclough Infant School, was held as part of a summer school organised around the theme health and wellbeing.
Children have also enjoyed trips, a fitness challenge and herb planting at Beaumont Park.
Gill Simpson, the school’s community development worker, said: “The children took a lot away from the experience.
“They were surprised to find out that fast food could be healthy. Hopefully they will be able to share this with their families.”
