Don't Forget About Africa

           The cooks traditionally cook in big iron pots over an open fire.  The majority of schools still cook this way, with very few having proper hygienic kitchen facilities. In researching this problem, people have realized that in cases where outside agencies and sponsors have donated money to build expensive kitchens, often these kitchens are not properly utilized, with the cooks still preferring to cook over open fires. If the kitchens just have gas or electrical stoves, sometimes the school cannot afford to buy gas or electricity, and they abandon the kitchen and continue cooking outside on open fires.  Therefore, the best idea would be:

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• ­A kitchen that combines gas and open fire cooking methods.  A bricks and mortar building erected with half height walls and unglazed windows.  A serving hatch, an outside veranda and a preparation bench, and a storeroom attached to the building. A three plate gas hob should be installed, and also a raised concrete plinth with holes in the top that are the right size for the big iron pots to nestle on – like an egg in an egg-cup.  A fire is lit in the cavity underneath and fed from the outside of the building. This protects the cooks from excess heat and smoke and provides a safe working environment where they can use their preferred cooking methods.

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