ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL KIDS LAP UP FISH     Print Article

Posted on: 25/6/2004

When it comes to eating fish, Shetland's school bairns perfer salmon... and that's official!!

A recent fish tasting contest at Lerwick's Anderson High School attended by more than 500 pupils showed that fresh farmed salmon is top of the islands' taste sensations, and means more oily fish will be turning up on the meal table.

Four firms donated fish for the event, and youngsters of all ages were joined by their teachers in the mouth watering competition, with the children voting with ballot cards for their favourite.

Johnson SeaFarms Ltd provided two fresh salmon, Shetland Smokehouse Ltd delivered a selection of hot smoked salmon, hot smoked mackerel, peppered hot smoked mackerel and tubs of salmon and mackerel pate, while McNabs Kippers donated a selection of hot smoked mackerel product in a variety of flavours including garlic and butter, Italian and rosemary and garlic.  Sweet cured herring and mackerel was also donated by Orkney herring.

The fresh salmon emerged the clear winner, closely followed by hot smoked salmon, with mackerel pate and hot smoked mackerel coming equal third.

The taster day was organised as part of the Scottish Executive's nation-wide 'Hungry for Success' campaign, which is trying to teach schoolkids about their school meals, while promoting local produce at the same time.

Lillian Leslie, who is in charge of meals at the school, said the fish had been cooked by both the kitchen staff and senior home economics pupils working under teacher Hazel Tulloch.

"One aim of the campaign is to get oily fish on the menu at all schools and this was one way of testing the waters to find out what the children would like to eat.  This first event is just the beginning and we are delighted with its success," Ms Leslie said.

The day was followed by an evening event at which the issue of healthy eating was top of the menu.  Education Development Officer Norma Smith said: "I think that promoting healthy eating in schools is a valuable initiative and we were delighted to be able to help out on this occasion by supplying a selection of seafood.  I was pleased that we ranked so well in the ballot and I think the fact that everything in the tasting session was devoured is a good indication that the local 'Hungry for Success' campaign will suceed".

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