BUDDING chefs are invited to attend the 'School of Fish' at an upcoming seafood festival.

The Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival will return to Weymouth Peninsula on the second weekend of September, after it was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and this year's event will feature a new event.

The 'School of Fish' children's cookery workshop is a pop-up cooking school for children, aimed at teaching kids how to cook and enjoy fish as part of a balanced diet. Depending on their age, children will learn how to prepare dishes from mackerel pate to fish curry with flatbread.

The cookery programme, which aims to hold roughly eight sessions on each day during the two-day festival, has been organised by the Food Teachers Centre, a platform for teachers to exchange tips and advice on food education.

Simon Gray, from the Food Teachers Centre, said: "We are thrilled to have this platform at the Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival. The Food Teachers Centre, supporting by the Fishmongers' Company's Fisheries Charitable Trust, is encouraging school aged children to prepare, cook and eat fish.

"Many adults still find cooking with fish a little overwhelming. It is so important for fish to be eaten as part of a balanced diet and I look forward to speaking with the children in September to help them understand the benefits of doing so."

Laura Avant, director of the Seafood Festival, said: "A cooking school for children is something we have wanted to do for a long time - we are delighted to have this new feature at the festival for 2021.

"As a mum of two primary school children, I know only too well how much kids enjoy getting their hands dirty in the kitchen, and many parents themselves need tips when it comes to cooking fish.

"We hope this new feature will help encourage children to get confident preparing fish and enjoy showing their mums and dads just how simple it can be."

The festival will also feature demonstration chefs, live music and street food.

For more information on the Dorset Seafood Festival and to book your tickets, visit www.dorsetseafood.co.uk/