ABOUT
Our mission
Using the creative power of food to foster a kinder world
Our mission is to help young people understand the power they have to change their lives and the wellbeing of our planet through the food choices they make and therefore foster a kinder, sustainable world where every living being can thrive.
How we achieve this
We offer inspiring learning and cooking experiences in schools and community centres for young people. Our Kinder Kitchen Clubs usually run for 3 hours over 6 weeks with a community event at the end. Each session has a “Kinder “ and a “Kitchen” part to it.
During the “Kinder” part of our sessions we provide inspiring and thought provoking learning experiences which ensure that each young person understands how their health is connected to the health of our soil and how their food choices impact everyone’s wellbeing and the health of our planet (more info here : https://www.kinder-kitchen.com/workshops) .
In the “Kitchen” part of our sessions we cook with local and seasonal ingredients, teach basic kitchen and cooking skills and most of all show how much creativity and fun can be found in cooking with simple, fresh ingredients. As educators we use the cooking and meal time as an opportunity to make connections, build confidence, overcome personal/ social challenges and help young people to grow in themselves.
Melissa and Julia
We believe that the root cause of many of the social and environmental challenges we face in the world today stem from the mistaken notion that we are separate from nature.
By providing inspiring platforms that spark curiosity and a desire to learn, young people can have powerful and innovative ideas, which are crucial to finding solutions to our environmental and social challenges. We are great friends, mothers and entrepreneurs who share a passion for a kinder, more connected world.
Melissa Kendall
Melissa has been involved in the field of sustainable development and education for over 25 years. She originally trained as a human rights lawyer, then worked in the sustainable investment industry for 7 years before leaving to set up her own health and wellbeing business. She was part of a team that set up an independent school in Wiltshire (along with Julia), and has been involved in setting up other local home education projects. She is a qualified nutritional advisor. Melissa is passionate about linking education to nature and showing children the importance of stewarding the natural world responsibly.
Julia Jeremiah
Julia has worked in community projects and in the field of children’s behaviour and development for over 20 years. Her background is in psychology and therapy. She has worked with children and young people in different countries and cultural settings, has run her own therapy business and was part of a team that set up an independent, project based school on a farm in Wiltshire. Julia found the medicinal power of food during a severe health crisis. During that time she learned that we are all part of one big ecosystem where our body, mind and soul is interwoven with the body, mind and soul of the plants and animals we eat. Setting up creative and inspirational spaces for young people to explore and express themselves is one of her big passions.