Two years ago Port Fairy Consolidated School signed up for Stephanie Alexander's kitchen garden program and yesterday the celebrated chef stopped by to sample a tasty treat served up by the students.
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The food writer is an advocate for using fresh seasonal produce and her program aims to teach children how to plant, care for and cook from an edible garden .
The children showed Alexander around their garden yesterday before preparing an afternoon tea followed by a dinner for her and 100 guests.
Principal Lindy Sharp said the event was a celebration of the children's achievements and the start of the school's fund-raising appeal to keep the program running.
Each week 85 children from grade four to six take part in the program.
Alexander said she was pleased to be at the school and was keen to sample the children's culinary creation.
Although she hadn't caught the first episode of Junior MasterChef, Alexander said she believed the adult series inspired people and had a positive impact on children's attitudes to food and cooking.
"But it's a one-off thing. It can't have the same impact as a program like this where kids go into the garden each week, cooking each week and building on their knowledge all the time," she said.
Principal Lindy Sharp said the children had gained confidence, communication skills and a genuine interest in food since beginning the program which requires them to work with volunteers, staff and local chefs.
The school will take over running and funding the program from next year and Mrs Sharp predicted it would cost about $40,000 annually.
She said students would help raise funds by selling produce and preserves at the Port Fairy community market and hosting dinners.
