Primestart Cookbook

March 2007 the launch of the Prime Start Cookbook with the attendance of James Hook, super star Welsh Rugby player, Rowland Philips Wales' defence coach and Neath Rugby coach, Neil Jenkins (world record points scorer), The Neath rugby team, Dr Brian Gibbons (Minister for Health),  Gwenda Thomas AM for Neath, Cllr Derek Vaughan (Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council) Celebrity Chef, Anthony Evans (S4C)Ken Sawyers (Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council) all attended the launch of the Primestart Cook Book at the John Smiths Gnoll.

The event was a fantastic success, with bright sunshine aiding the 100 primary school children cooking the healthy food in the Tesco demonstration kitchen and also enjoying kicking coaching under the watchful eye of Neil Jenkins (record breaking Welsh rugby super star). Tag Rugby workshops also took place with the Neath Rugby players and Primestart community team.

All the Cookbook sponsors attended, showing their continued support to a project that is making a real difference to the children of the Neath Port Talbot area. The importance of corporate social responsibilty cannot be underestimated and the fact that a project of this scale has seen huge support from leading companies in Wales again proves that Welsh companies are leading the way when it comes to giving something back to the community.

Rugby is an integral part of Welsh life. Many of the players, coaches and management understand the need to inspire the youth of today. Primestart under the watchful eye of Rowland Philips in his role as Neath Rugby coach and the Neath Rugby team have realised the true value of inspiring our future generation of rugby fans, and players. 

Primestart was initially launched in October 2005 and has to date worked with 43 Primary Schools in the Neath Port Talbot Borough.  The aim was to raise children's awareness of the importance of good nutrition and an active lifestyle.  As part of the Primestart initiative, Neath Rugby has championed raising the importance of healthy eating to thousands of children within the Neath Port Talbot area.  By taking it one step further, the Primestart Team in conjunction with Neath Port Talbot Healthy Schools Scheme and Chef Mark Coulton have created a strong line out.  They are proud to have developed a creative and healthy cookbook aimed to help introduce key nutritional principles into the home.

The purpose of the recipe book is to lower the levels of obesity in Wales and the Neath Port Talbot area then branch out onto a National scale.  The pattern of poor eating habits is repeated across Wales and the Recipe book is there to help change children's negative perceptions of healthier foods.  The book will be given free to 7,000 key stage two children in the area.  It is bilingual, fun and colourful and by introducing caricatures of high profile Neath rugby players commenting on their favourite recipes, it will entice children to get excited about healthy foods, and help parents with cooking whilst learning valuable skills.  This not only provides children with the knowledge of healthy eating but introduces a hands on tangible approach with food.

The involvement of social enterprise and sponsors really makes a difference when they unite together.  Companies such as Neath Rugby, Welsh Assembly Government, Neath Port Talbot Healthy Schools Scheme, Tesco, Trioni, Really Welsh Company, Braces, Rachels Organic, Serious Food Company, Hybu Cig Cymru, Branston Ltd, Cadog, Sglein, Blusky Media, IT3, Oatmeal Group, Sugarloaf Catering, have all joined and supported the Primestart Cook Book.  By uniting into one cause, this demonstrates its importance by combining ideas, recipes and foods this promotes the right message to the children of Wales. Representatives of all the major sponsors also attended the experience making this the biggest event highlighting the partnerships between Welsh businesses, rugby and a charitable cause. 

Representatives from two of Primestart's main sponsors Neath Port Talbot college and Corus strip products also attended the day and Keith Farron from Corus and  Geraint Jones for Neath Port Talbot College were presented with the very first two cookbooks as a tribute to their sponsorship by Deenna Barton business development manager who is the brains behind the Primestart Initiative and specifically the groundbreaking Cookbook. 

Deenna Barton, Business Development Officer at Neath Rugby said:

The day was a huge success and another step towards our mission to highlight the importance of good nutrition to the children in our country borough. The whole process of compiling the cookbook was hugely enjoyable with so much excitement and enthusiasm showed by our chef and sponsors about the project.

It was fantastic to see James Hook back at the Gnoll after he had such a positive impact when he visited our Primestart schools last year as a Neath Rugby player. He really impressed the children with his cooking skills, and even found time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with our children teachers and sponsors.