Restaurant classrooms could be the key to giving schoolchildren an introduction to cookery, according to a survey.
Research conducted by PizzaExpress involving 350 teachers nationwide has revealed that nontraditional classrooms can provide real benefits for learning - particularly in the absence of compulsory home economics from the national curriculum.
Some 80% of schools organise visits to places of work or industry, and 94% of teachers said a non-classroom environment provided a fun learning experience for children.
PizzaExpress carried out the research to register the impact of its national primary schools programme, which invites 35,000 children into its restaurants each year to learn more about cooking and food hygiene.
Set up five years ago, it gives pupils a practical insight into how a restaurant is run as well as what goes into making pizzas. PizzaExpress funds the project.
Mike McCann, chief executive of the National Education Business Partnership Network, said: "This research shows that by placing pupils in a fun but safe, real working environment like a restaurant can really pay dividends."
Also campaigning for better culinary education in schools is the Adopt a School Trust, which relies on chef members of the Academy of Culinary Arts (ACA) visiting schools and delivering practical workshops. ACA members include Raymond Blanc, Rick Stein, Gary Rhodes and Brian Turner.