THE TRICKY art of one-handed cooking was taught to a group of young people unable to use one side of their body properly because of brain damage.
The 16 to 25-year-olds made vegetable samosas, vegetable frittatas, apple crumbles, lasagnes and giant cookies at the Kids' Cookery School in Gunnersbury Lane, Acton.
The 12 participants all suffer from hemiplegia, a condition caused by brain damage, usually at birth, causing varying amounts of weakness and lack of control on one side of the body. It affects about one child in every 1,000.
Participants came from as far as Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells to take part on Saturday (15) led by Fiona Hamilton-Fairley who runs the school.
Participant Rachel Haine, 24, said: "The workshop was fantastic. Everyone produced fantastic food, had fun and learnt that we can cook."
HemiHelp, the national charity for hemiplegia organised the workshop
Karen Mount, Transition Adviser for HemiHelp, said: "This was a first for HemiHelp and a hugely successful and enjoyable day. All the young people enjoyed it and learnt some invaluable cooking skills that will last them a lifetime. Cooking is an essential life skill and will help them to live independently."
