I Taught Them to Cook

Book excerpt: A story of teaching cooking in an east London comprehensive in 1970s. A bit like Call the Midwife only 20 years later. Reviews 'An accurate, and sometimes very funny, account of the trials of a young food teacher in the 70's. A light hearted testament to the importance of food, education, and a sizzling expose of the blindness of the powers that be.' Prue Leith This is a charming book, and I love its wry, nostalgic tone. Underneath that, there is a message - that food teaching really matters. Orlando Murrin President of Guild of Food Writers What an amazing book. I taught in London schools in the 1970s so Jenny's delightful book has prompted so many memories for me triggering laughter, pride as well as sadness and frustration! Sue Johne retired Head of Home Economics I read this book all in one greedy gulp, like eating one of those elegant cream horns produced by Jenny and her students in the school cookery room. Amazon reviewer Entertaining, fast paced food memoir You don't have to be interested in food or education to enjoy Jenny Ridgwell's page-turning account of teaching a disruptive and unwilling class of teenagers how to cook food in the 1970s. Lesley Garner journalist I was transported to the 1970s with Jenny's evocative portrayal of life teaching home economics in an east London comprehensive school. Louise Johncox, journalist and author