Winners! National Kitchen Garden Awards 2024
A huge shoutout to everyone who entered the inaugural National Kitchen Garden Awards! We were blown away by the sheer creativity and passion showcased in the hundreds of submissions we received from every corner of Australia.
Our judges, Stephanie Alexander, Thanh 'Fruit Nerd' Truong and Alice Zaslavsky had the delightful yet challenging task of selecting nine standouts from the 27 incredible finalists.
We’re beyond excited to unveil the nine winners who will each receive a prize pack valued at over $5000, including:
- $1000 in cash to advance kitchen and garden infrastructure.
- A kitchen garden product pack valued at over $3500, including an enrich360 Eco5 dehydrator with accessories and lesson plan, organic garden solutions from Seasol, Australian-made healthy cookware from Solidteknics, tree vouchers from Fleming's Nurseries, and signed copies of Stephanie Alexander’s beloved cookbooks ‘The Cooks Companion’ and ‘Fresh’.
- A two-year membership to the globally recognised Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. Current members will enjoy a two-year extension of their membership instead.
👏 Join us in loud applause, as we share the highlights from each of the winning submissions and the impact of their kitchen and garden initiatives.
Level Up Your Veg
Presented by AUSVEG
Winner: Sunbury Primary School, VIC
PLANTING, HARVESTING AND COOKING A PREVIOUSLY-UNKNOWN VEGETABLE
Grade 5/6 Sunbury Primary School students embarked on a new level of independence, planting a crop that they had never grown before – the Jerusalem artichoke. Research was undertaken, leading to seed-saving to ensure a continued crop supply. The students’ confidence in the kitchen soared as they linked their gardening efforts with newfound culinary skills, choosing to make a Jerusalem Artichoke Tart, created with hand-made pastry and eggs from the school chickens. Broad bean plant leaves from their garden 'The Patch', replaced spinach, which students found added a subtle pea flavour to the dish, complementing the ‘light potato flavour of the artichokes’.
Sustainable Solutions
Presented by Costa
Winner: Corowa Public School, NSW
COMPOSTING, RECYCLING AND A FIVE-BIN WASTE SYSTEM
Corowa Public School (also pictured in our top photo!) has set the bar high with their commitment to sustainability. Students engage in a huge range of eco-friendly practices, from making their own soil and banana tea to managing worm bins and a comprehensive five-bin waste system. This holistic, hands-on approach to composting and recycling not only supports the garden, but also educates students about environmental impact and waste management.
“No food waste goes into landfill. Students have learnt that in landfill, food waste decomposes and produces methane gas, a greenhouse gas affecting air quality and contributing to climate change.”
Wellbeing Champions
Presented by Kellogg’s
Winner: Happy Trails ELC, NT
DISCOVERY GARDEN AND YOGA SESSIONS
Happy Trails ELC in Darwin has embraced the essence of wellbeing with their ‘Discovery Garden’. Children from six months to five years of age engage in mindful activities under the banana trees, from planting and harvesting to yoga sessions and story time. A delightful example of how the Kitchen Garden Program fosters wellbeing, curiosity and connection to environment in even the youngest of learners.
“We listen for birds, feel the breeze on our faces and watch for butterflies or frogs. Other times we are identifying plants, touching, smelling and tasting. Often, we bring magnifying glasses trying to spot insects.”
Recipe of the Imagination
Presented by General Mills
Winner: Ashgrove State School, QLD
BRIGHT PINK DRAGON FRUIT AND BANANA SORBET
Ashgrove State School’s dazzling dragon fruit and banana sorbet is testament to the fun and creativity the Kitchen Garden Program can inspire! Students used their garden’s abundant dragon fruits to whip up this refreshing treat, which also includes shredded fresh mint.
The recipe is great for students of all ages as scooping the bright magenta flesh from the dragon fruit, peeling and breaking up the banana and juicing the lemons are all wonderfully hands-on experiences.
“It’s an approachable dish (who can resist a hot pink sorbet?) but at the same time, exposes the children to new flavours.”
Beyond the School Gate
Presented by Novo Nordisk
Winner: John Pujajangka Piyirn School, WA
MEALS COOKED AND SERVED TO COMMUNITY ELDERS
Every Tuesday, students from John Pujajangka Piyirn School prepare and deliver meals to local Elders. They select dishes from their Deadly Tucker cookbook, then harvest produce from the school garden. After making a shopping list, they walk to the community store (funded by their school-run op shop) to buy the extra ingredients, enhancing their numeracy and literacy skills in the process. Seeing such vital community connection and skill-building in action is truly inspiring.
“Many of our Elders are also the primary carers of our students so they are very grateful for some care in return.”
Showcasing STEM
Presented by Seasol
Winner: Namadgi School, ACT
HANDS-ON EDUCATION IN STEM CONCEPTS
Namadgi School students dig into soil testing, compost analysis, plant anatomy and garden habitats, turning their garden into a dynamic learning lab and gaining hands-on experience with all aspects of STEM. Their active involvement in designing and maintaining garden beds, as well as constructing structural supports like rock walls and garden signage, further enhances their understanding and teamwork skills. This engaging approach truly showcases the transformative power of the Kitchen Garden Program in such an exciting way!
The Art of Kitchen Gardening
Presented by MSP Compass
Winner: Berrima Public School, NSW
GARDEN JOURNALS AND ARTISTIC PROJECTS LED TO FUNDRAISING
Berrima Public School students create garden journals, transforming the artwork into tea towels, seed packets and clay art, which are sold to support their Kitchen Garden Program. This creative fusion of art and botany not only enhances students’ artistic skills but also connects them deeply with their garden.
“By weaving artistic and literary activities with our garden’s offerings, we create a dynamic learning environment where creativity flourishes alongside botanical knowledge.”
Everyone’s Welcome
Presented by ABL (Arnold Bloch Leibler)
Winner: Aspley Special School, QLD
INCLUSIVE GARDENING WITH WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
Aspley Special School’s kitchen garden is a beacon of inclusivity and innovation, from its wheelchair-accessible raised garden beds to sensory-rich plantings and the resident chook space, Cluckingham Palace! Students established their own orchard and worm towers, and with recent additions like large-scale native plantings and NAIDOC week activities, the school’s Kitchen Garden Program ensures every student feels welcome and valued.
“There is something for ALL students at Aspley Special School in their garden.”
First Nations Foods
Presented by Murnong Mummas
Winner: Birdwood High School, SA
BUSH FOOD RECIPE BOOK CREATED BY STUDENT
Birdwood High School impressed us with a project blending creativity with cultural learning. A Year 11 student with autism spectrum disorder carefully developed a range of dishes featuring First Nations ingredients like wattleseed and finger lime, to showcase in a personal recipe book. The book not only included unique recipes like rosella & cherry tarts, river mint ice cream and passionfruit & lemon myrtle cheesecake, but also fostered essential life skills such as problem-solving and confidence.
“The recipe book was shared with the school community and was a big hit among students and teachers alike."
With thanks to our award category partners
With thanks to our prize partners
Like to learn more about becoming a member of the Kitchen Garden Program? Our free Information Sessions are a great introduction to the benefits of a Kitchen Garden Program membership for your school or early childhood service. These webinars are open to everyone.
Questions? Contact us on 13000 SAKGF (13000 72543) or membership@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
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