Guess who came to lunch?

The shared table is often a special place as students sit down to enjoy the fruits of their kitchen garden labour. The shared table at Birdwood Primary School was recently made even more special when Jared Polec, Matt Broadbent and Tom Clurey, football players for Australian Football League (AFL) team Port Power, made an unexpected appearance.

That morning the AFL football players had been visiting the school to run a football clinic and talk with students about healthy eating and living, and the rigours of AFL training.  Meanwhile, Sue Green, the Kitchen Specialist, had been running a kitchen class with Grade 3/4s.  Sue had the clever idea of inviting the players to join them for lunch and to her surprise the players agreed.

The players, staff and students all sat down together and enjoyed the dishes the class had prepared, which included: Curried Zucchini Soup with Coconut Cream; Tomato, Red Onion, Capsicum & Basil Bruschetta; Beetroot Dip with Flatbread; and Carrot & Zucchini Cakes. Sue wasn’t sure if the players would be able to eat everything on the menu due to their strict training and eating regimes, but the players happily tucked into all that was on offer.

It was the players’ first introduction to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and the quality of the garden, the produce and the dishes made a lasting impression.  “[They] couldn't believe the produce that we had grown ourselves!!” says Sue.

It was also a very special experience for the students who were extremely excited to welcome footy stars to their table. Coming together around the table gave the students and players an opportunity to talk about and share their experiences – from the kitchen bench to the footy field. “They [the students] managed to sit with them and discuss football and cooking together,” says Sue.

It is moments like these that make the shared table so special and such an important part of pleasurable food education. Well done to Sue Green and all of the staff and students at Birdwood Primary School.