Abu Dhabi hotel to teach children healthy eating habits

ABU DHABI // Top chefs will tackle child obesity by teaching children in Abu Dhabi about healthy eating habits and the joy of cooking.

They will give hour-long school classes on food preparation and healthy living, with parents and teachers learning too.

“Involving parents and teachers in that commitment is key to ensuring our children’s healthy futures,” said Justin Galea, executive chef at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi, who will lead the Adopt A School programme with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts in the UK.

With about 18 per cent of children between the ages of two and 15 considered clinically obese, Mr Galea said the initiative was important for children’s health.

“Sourcing, preparing and eating healthy, good quality food is very important to me,” he said.

As a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts since 2011, Mr Galea was already familiar with the programme and introduced the idea to Le Royal Meridien and the Starwood hotel chain.

“After understanding more about the initiative, we realised that it could be much bigger and even more successful if we had the backing of the Starwood group,” said Shaun Parsons, the hotel’s general manager.

“We’re looking forward to working together with other Starwood hotels to make a difference to the children of Abu Dhabi.”

Mr Galea will be training other Starwood hotel chefs in the city in how to deliver the programme, and the scheme will begin in schools this month.

“As we increasingly see more health problems such as obesity and diabetes, it’s important that we as food experts share our knowledge on nutrition and good food preparation with the new generation,” he said.

Other hotels taking part are Aloft, the Sheraton, St Regis Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island Resort, and the Westin.