Bornholm council votes to cut funding for cooking school affecting students’ nutrition and culinary education

Fewer students in Bornholm will learn about washing dishes and nutrition, taste new foods, and receive freshly prepared lunches. This change will occur following the approval of the upcoming budget for Bornholm’s Regional Municipality next month. The municipal council has unanimously decided to cut 1.2 million kroner from the operation of Paradisbakkeskolen’s cooking school, which provides intensive kitchen education for students in grades 4 to 8.

This initiative started just three years ago when the municipality invested 10 million kroner to build the cooking school, which also serves lunch to the entire student body. Recently, around 150 parents, students, and locals gathered in Nexø to discuss the budget cuts and explore ways to sustain the kitchen program.

One concerned parent, Ulrik Schou Kjerulff Hansen, expressed his disappointment, highlighting the numerous benefits of the cooking school beyond short-term savings. He noted that his children have become less picky eaters and more capable in the kitchen since attending the program. The cooking school combines a meal plan and culinary education, teaching students various skills over two weeks each year.

Originally launched in September 2021 with the intention of expanding similar programs across the island, the project has now been abandoned due to the municipality’s financial constraints. Despite past successes, the future of the cooking school remains uncertain.

The municipal budget faces a significant imbalance, prompting the decision to cut funding. Despite the challenges, the school board, parents, and children are collecting signatures and exploring options to save the cooking school. They are considering various solutions, including increasing meal prices and seeking external funding, while the mayor remains hopeful for a community-driven solution.