Why Nicole Pisani Left a Top London Restaurant to Work with Kids in Schools

[@tenshikaren]

I've tried very hard to improve food education in my small hometown here in the U.S., between helping in my mom's classroom over her 25 years of teaching or as a substitute who liked to bring in extra little lessons that were fun and hands on to encourage kids to finish early. I even sent kids home every year with their own herb garden started in upcycled 2-liter bottle greenhouses (always let them mix herb seeds to built 'favorite dish blends' for things like spaghetti, fish, and taco night) in the after-school program and always let the older kids help prepare snacks. I had lots of parents express their child wanted to help more in the kitchen, try new foods, and even a few started raising chickens or joined 4-H after helping out and learning to grow their own food. Kids really like to learn about where food comes from and how the lifecycle of animals help put food on their plate. It also can be a touchstone of interest that triggers their desire to learn other subjects like chemistry, math, biology, etc. I even had one little boy, who was quite poor and lived alone with his grandmother in a small yard, bring back a story about how us growing green beans in my mom's classroom lead to him having friends over at his house for the first time because he wasn't embarrassed for not having much to play with. He was a 3rd grader who had gone around asking tables if anyone didn't want to plant their beans at home if he could have them. He went home with 17 plants and had copied my grandmas 'dilly beans' recipe. They canned their own dilly beans and kept growing all summer, and kids from all around the neighborhood came by his house for dilly beans and fresh green bean snacks. I heard a small group of those kids had started a veg exchange club, where they all grow different things every year to trade amongst themselves. I think that group graduated high school last year...

[@garethjones6082]

Good on you keep up the good work 😍

[@chefsinschools]

What an amazing impact you’ve made! This is so nice-thanks for sharing! 💚🌱

[@CiderDivider]

Massive challenge for the Sorted Team... create a 5-day lunch program for a school. Keeping in mind general food allergens or intolerance, ability to scale up in a reasonable and affordable way, and that would keep children interested and excited for a meal!

[@iefgrootaers]

Surely you're coming up with a format where the Sorted team goes and cooks in a few schools next?

[@Shelsight]

Been watching for about 8 years and never miss a video and appreciate how much you listen. Podcasts are obviously different and I listen to them at home at night when I’m doing something else, as the topics, guests and questions are so well thought out.. thanks so much guys. Keep them going. X

[@sharayalee3376]

Love this podcast! And what a wonderful guest! Learning about food and some kitchen skills at a young age is such a great thing to pass along to the next generation. I have an in home daycare and I bake once a week with my kids (ages 2-3) so it’s mostly counting, smelling and tasting ingredients, experimenting with textures, and becoming comfortable with messes.

[@connorjanes8285]

Would love to see a challenge video of the chefs and normals in a school kitchen creating school dinners and having the kids as judges! I wonder if Jamie could get his famous paella burrito idea off the ground with the students

[@sirBrouwer]

It would be lovely. however that would be a boat load of work. For one you need a lot of permissions both for filming children and also to have them judge in the video. What would mean they are technically working as a minor. Besides that KZbin guidelines and Ofcom both again have regulations for showing that if it's a video that also want to make a profit. in short they need permission from every parent, school members, ministerie of education. ministerie of labour, Ofcom and KZbin. Just to get all that in order could take month to plan. With a chance that they still get no green light.

[@connorjanes8285]

Change up the location and format then could easily be done in the studio with a few student judges but the boys have to cook to the national school food standards using a budget system, the overall premise the same but less hoops to jump through

[@flii87]

Such a good message. I wish more people cared about how we feed children. Too many kids struggle with obesity and and body image issues and not getting good enough nutritious meals at home, the list is endless. And these are kids. I dont have or like children, but I do understand that children are our future. We should all care.

[@kalefarmerful]

What an amazing human. This was awesome. I hope they Win. Such a compelling accent. Homemade pizza is my kids favourite.

[@briancoleman9330]

I love the message behind this podcast. One thing Chef Nicole said that I 100% agree with is when you become a professional in your field, the next best thing to go onto is to start teaching. In the various fields I've worked in (Now a cnc machinist) the thing I look forward to and enjoy is when I get a new hire, that wants to learn, and being able to teach and pass on what I've learned.

[@eleanorjeremy5161]

A great discussion. Such an interesting part of school life I don't think about enough as a classroom teacher.

[@justanothertokki9947]

Love your podcasts.

[@divab63]

Really interesting podcast. I really love the push to promote healthy, interesting food to children in schools. I grew up in a family that cooked together, including close friends, and ate Armenian food (mom’s side), Mexican and southern US foods (neighbors) and it really meant we experienced so many flavors and ingredients. So many kids don’t know more than McDonalds and that is sad.

[@Milkex]

extremely thought provoking. thanks to all involved!

[@MartinAhlman]

I was a teacher in a smallish village in the only school, the lunch (frre foor the kids) was amazing. It was proper food, and helathy. Leftovers could be served the next day. Especially fried herring, they pickled it and thus we had an entre. They picked a table and one of them brought the food to the table, scheduled for the younger children, when they got older they just did it. Good food, getting used to serve food to others. No waste. It was brilliant! Oh, us teachers had lunch with the kids as well, and it was a great part of the day!

[@charleneclaassen]

This was brilliant. Time well spent.

[@AvidCat5000]

French Bread Pizza is all I can remember about my school lunches.

[@anniedonnelly7416]

My elementary school's (1st-6th) pancakes are still my favorite pancakes of all time ❤

[@MisterD90x]

Just seen Ben on TV with Ainsley Harriott, fun episode ❤

[@toni_go96]

Love the approach Nicole and Chefs in Schools have to make food more exciting and accessible to kids. It's such an important thing. I know they didn't mention it in the podcast, but I also see this having implications for reducing rates of eating disorders in youngsters over time. It's going to bring about such a drastic change in the health and lives of people who will be the next generation.

[@Shelsight]

Jamie gamifying fish heads and body matching just cracked me up!

[@carolinecrockett4210]

Ima say my sons favorite food since he was 2 is mussels. It is perfect easy inexpensive food if you are on a coast.

[@briannehunt6189]

Can this wonderful woman come to America and start this here?! It is so frustrating as someone who tries to teach my kids, have a garden, process the bounty, and then my kids go to school to eat the junk they can procure that the government has decided is good enough to feed inside schools.

[@noangelthis]

Ooo… 3:58 Fish head was not what I was expecting. My maternal family loved fish head. It’s a delicacy among a lot of eastern and south asian cuisines

[@SortedFood]

So delicious 😋

[@noangelthis]

@@SortedFood So I’ve been told, repeatedly! As a kid I was too intimidated to try and well, eventually decided to turn vegetarian. But I did make a few recipes with fish head during lockdown and going by my family’s reaction, it wasn’t terrible. 🤷‍♀️

[@jameshamaker9321]

i'm getting a lot out of this. i used to do food service in middle school and tell people often in German, " if you don't like it don't f@#$ing eat it!" i got yelled at a lot by moms about it, i told them to bug off.

[@plainegrace5712]

If you ever go to Australia, please see if you can collaborate with Anne Reardon (How To Cook That)!

[@robmcallen798]

Can you add a link to her organisation/ charity to the description text under the video please? Many thanks

[@jenrose1002]

She is so sweet! Love this

[@atomixcomix5861]

I had a dream last night I helped sorted food build one of 4 new sorted supermarkets. They sold evey food, product and subscription ever featured in a video but done properly

[@harvestmoon_autumnsky]

As a teacher at an environmental ed school, first grade, my thematic focus is how to look at food choices that somehow help the earth. Every year I kind of modify. Some years its zero waste lunches. One year it was on urban gardens. Another year it was on saving the bees. This last year I introduced a question about which food is more sustainable, seaweed or salmon. Kids love to learn about food. Thankfully we have a school garden and a teacher for 2/3 grade who gives specific lessons in the garden. But right now, our district has a contract where our school receive prepared foods that are reheating with plastic covering. It's...not good. In a new remodel we're hoping to get a real kitchen where we can start making our own food.

[@michaelacioffi1291]

Ooooh a Malteser! (I'm Maltese too!) Well done Nicole!

[@belialbathory2299]

I would think former military cooks would be a pretty great fit for this kind of cooking as well.

[@kristinnelson-patel442]

Lovely topic - thanks for featuring this great person! I would be curious to know how she has dealt with the epidemic of severe food allergies in the schools, and helping those students have a positive and not just fearful relationship with food.

[@happygrandma5637]

Great episode. I was glad when they mentioned farming / growing as part of the process in some schools.

[@nickz526]

Finally Malta was mentioned! Guys come to Malta, I'll take you around and you'll find some interesting food around here! Its worth it!

[@AnasRecipesofc]

What an inspiring story! Nicole Pisani’s decision to leave a top restaurant in London to work with children in schools is truly admirable. The video captured his passion and dedication to using cooking to positively impact children’s lives. Congratulations on sharing this exciting and meaningful journey! ❤❤

[@michaelgilday]

Sending commis chef across the road to get a pan full of steam!

[@inst4nce]

Mike drinking prosecco. 😂

[@AdamKlocperk]

I'm so confused, my YT shows 839 likes and 341 dislikes, what the heck is up with that??

[@Nurr0]

I was going to post the same, it's like this for every single podcast they do (with some exceptions where they truly get ratio'd like that 'food futurist'). I don't understand it either. I guess people don't like podcasts on the main channel, but it wouldn't get views if split off?

[@toni_go96]

This podcast is amazing. Also Ben's such a great boss, sharing that hilarious story without naming names. 😂😂

[@SortedFood]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😁

[@madswansfan1]

I’ve never thought of him being the boss. I see them as all being equal.

[@post-electric]

​@madswansfan1 Pretty sure the comment wasn't suggesting Ben was the boss of everyone, just that he was the particular employer relaying the anecdote!

[@littlesammyh]

I cooked for you guys when you came to Nopi, I believe you unwrapped your million subscriber plaque while you were there!

[@rulitossimplyrulitos1088]

Loved this episode! I wonder if there will be a chance for an episode or two regarding doing simple dishes for kids? Maybe she can guest on a KZbin video showing a few tricks? My nephew is the pickiest eater I ever met. Totally envying the schools who are doing such labor of love.

[@chefsinschools]

We love this idea!

[@sirBrouwer]

There are a lot of cookbooks for children. however the biggest help is to involve them in the proces of what ever they would like to eat. Does he like a burger? Then actually make a burger. Let him make the burger buns, chop the onions, tomatoes, lattice. mix the ground beef with seasoning. If he likes fries with those. well the same let him wash, peal and chop potatoes. I assure you there is no better dish then something they have made them selves. the joke is with only making the buns you also teach him how to make bread. with the chopping of the onions, tomatoes, lattice and other vegetables the also knows how to make a salet. same story if he likes pizza. make a actual pizza. he can add whatever he likes he only needs to do it. That is what has worked for me as kid. My mother did not tell me to just eat something. She would take my brother and me to the shops. let us pick certain items and involve is from the start to the moment it's on the table. then even that ''nasty'' soup is good because it was my soup. I made that.

[@noangelthis]

That was a great story from young lady Brenda! And crotchety old man Barry, stop projecting! 😂

[@cassieoz1702]

Yeh, typical Barry. Jumped in without even LISTENING that it was a story about Brenda's past. Barry is very un-funny

[@PokhrajRoy.]

1:33 So, it’s like ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and folding the cheese.

[@CassTaz]

Just inspiring. School lunch memories in the UK in the 60s. Liver and bacon, white fish in tomato flavoured water and custard which grew a thicker skin each day. 😖

[@sharonhill2602]

The stirring with 2 spoons people, is the reason why we have a packet of peanuts now labelled with may contain nuts 😂

[@jaydee5022]

If you work your way out of a job you can move to care homes Nicole - there's plenty to improve on in many of them.

[@SandraPhillips-cb5og]

Love your creativity, it's inspiring!

[@superchazney198]

Hey @sortedfood I love your stuff, always have and have converted many people to your channel, and watched/ joined with you for all your live events, but just wanted to pass on my feedback, the podcast is something I’ve always wanted, with the 4/5/6 of you guys, with the guests it makes it hard to get enthused if you’re not interested in the guest! Please continue the podcast but could we get one or two more with just the regulars? We watch the channel for you more than anything!

[@flii87]

I have to disagree, they give us content with just them all the time. We get one video a week with someone new. How else are we to expand our knowledge? You are welcome to consume the same content with the same guys, or you can learn to like someone new. Just a thought.

[@noangelthis]

Loved the episode @Sortedfood All the little observations about giving children the full information about sources of their food and then having the choice to decide what they would like to eat; children picking out herbs (or any little pile of ‘undesirables’), how visually appealing food makes them more receptive to it. Love how much sensitivity Nicole brings to this conversation and how to engage kids with their food! Beautiful!

[@TroyHostetler]

Hey Guys, I love this! Keep up the great work. I'm so grateful you try different formats, experiments as it's so easy to stay "the same" where things are comfortable. Nicole is doing amazing things and I'm heartened to know this work is being done. Thanks

[@collegeourense695]

Give the lady a damehood

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Segue more Segue-no way Ben just pulled that off

[@jenniherranen1551]

Another twist on teaching in restaurants. The restaurant where I've worked for 20 years, is a restaurant where we train both staff for the kitchen and the floor too. My question is, do a "trainee" sort of video, including maybe people from rough surroundings etc. Food makes everything better ❤

[@PokhrajRoy.]

After this podcast, whatever we learned about Mike’s stag do was against our will (jk)

[@MariaGabrielleFenech-si9kk]

I really enjoyed this episode of podcast especially since i’m from Malta 😊

[@SortedFood]

Glad to hear it 😁

[@ellieisanerd]

Another fabulous episode!

[@SortedFood]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching :)

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Amazing to see you all on the best Food review show! Really enjoyed it! Hearth please ❤❤❤❤❤

[@HFC786]

Good to see you on the Best Ever Food Review Show earlier today!

[@noangelthis]

O… didn’t know about that but will check out! Thanks for sharing here for those of us who missed/ didn’t know. :)

[@SortedFood]

Glad you enjoyed it. Sonny is awesome!

[@dickydoes]

Eat some green leaves every time Nicole says ‘food’.

[@catherinechisholm6208]

Great episode. Cooking is a life skill that needs to be taught in the school system.

[@noangelthis]

@@catherinechisholm6208 Absolutely! It’s crucial for survival and yet I meet adults daily who just never learnt. There are so many people at my work who come from out of town and get sick because they don’t know how to cook and eat out too often. It amazes me that we have created a system where someone can be old enough to hold a job but can’t feed themselves.

[@SortedFood]

We agree!

[@b1ackrussian]

lower the microphone!

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Get your shoes off the furniture.

[@noangelthis]

Haha… I tried hard not to get distracted- Brenda’s charming little story helped. But agreed, about shoes on furniture

[@noangelthis]

@@OldManYellsAtClouds Fair point. But for those of us who aren’t accustomed to it or perhaps even raised not to do it, it’s hard not to find it jarring when we see it. That’s all.

[@toni_go96]

​@@OldManYellsAtCloudssee when I was kid I used to say this... That when I grow up and have my own furniture I would not care and put my shoes up on it... But now as an adult I won't even wear outside clothes while sitting on the bed... Funny how that works 😂😂

[@noangelthis]

@@toni_go96hahaha! Outside clothes- it really is such a thing, isn’t it! I’m glad to know of others in this club. I got introduced by my mum and now a lifelong member!

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

@@OldManYellsAtClouds their

[@jasonswan7646]

Anyone else get excited to see a Sorted Video, then realise it's the podcast and leave disappointed.

[@ladyT_VR46]

Yes! They're boring

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

No.

[@noangelthis]

@@jasonswan7646 aww… they’re actually fun- sure, everyone has their own taste in what content they like, but honestly, I get to learn so much from these. How people from different industries/ backgrounds relate to food is rather fun to hear about! But each their own, I guess.

[@robwest6231]

Friday is always the podcast. How is that hard to understand. Don’t like them don’t watch. Some of us do like them. No one is forcing you to watch.

[@swissfoodie3542]

@@robwest6231 I totally agree. I like the podcasts a lot. And for the people complaining: nobody is forcing you to watch this FREE channel !!!!

[@totalredeem44]

Very boring

[@flii87]

Important issues generally are. Doesn't mean you should pay any less attention. Obesity and mental health issues plague schools in many places, more than you can imagine. A message like this is really important. I really hope you give loving life a shot.

[@Jesst102]

Simple suggestion, don’t watch it?

[@totalredeem44]

@@Jesst102 Do you saw how much dislikes there are on those videos ? I swapt very fast. The woman seems fine but the voice was incredibly boring, look people agree, I have 8 likes on my comment...

[@totalredeem44]

@@flii87 Yes it is SOOO important nowadays. Political corruption is really non-important comparatively. The WW3 is child play ?

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love under the cloche guys! Please keep it coming

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love to hear your podcast guys! Makes cleaning so much better🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ladyT_VR46]

Please drop these and continue in the kitchen 🙏 you're all fabulous there. This format isn't great. Sorry! ❤

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Don't like it, don't watch it.

[@JaySay]

No, I love them, and they're great to put on while doing chores, cooking, or anything else to have it play in the background. This doesn't replace any of the other formats or videos per week, so quit complaining and just wait, please. Many others actually do care to watch this and enjoy it.

[@swissfoodie3542]

Sorry, but you are wrong. Me and many other fans of Sorted Food enjoy those podcasts. Please recall yourself, that this is a free channel, and nobody is forcing you to watch something that you dont enjoy. Just dont watch it and dont complain.

[@ladyT_VR46]

@@OldManYellsAtClouds I don't watch it but get notifications and excitedly switch on thinking it's another kitchen episode. A lot of people agree. Not that it matters

[@Milkex]

this was very informative and made me think about childhood food options. I think I'm going to work on something in my area now!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

These guests are great! Have You consider bringing Max in on the fun SORTED team?

[@monyx2926]

I have not scrolled down, but there must be many links to Barnes and Barnes song "Fish Heads." Eat them up, yum! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGq3f5Z_bMqIjrs