CHILDREN at an Oxford school went behind the scenes of one of the city’s eateries for a kitchen tour and cooking session.

Instead of advertising the specials of the day, the chalkboard outside Jamie’s Italian, in George Street, yesterday issued a welcome to pupils from New Hinksey Primary School in South Oxford.

Seventeen children aged between nine and 11 spent two hours working with chefs helping make focaccia, and learning more about different fruit and vegetables.

Tracey Haslam, who accompanied the group, said: “The children thought it was wonderful. They were taught lots of recipes and given things to try and learned about unusual foods, like how to cook butternut squashes and asparagus.”

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who has campaigned to improve school meals and the food many children eat, was not there on the day, but Mrs Haslam said the children enjoyed seeing pictures of him around the restaurant.

Ten-year-old David Collins said: “It was the best trip of my life.”

And Connor Davis, nine, said the experience had inspired him to want to become a chef.

Aurora Karwowski, nine, said: “I liked making and eating the focaccia bread. I liked the rosemary flavour best.”

The restaurant issued invitations to local schools to come along and the primary school was among the first to respond.