Children learnt the importance of diversity through an immersive food experience at a city restaurant.

Around 60 year 4 children, aged eight and nine, from Lakenham Primary School in City Road, Norwich, were treated to traditional Indian cuisine at Namaste Village in Queens Road as part of the We Will Cook project.

Norwich Evening News: Lakenham Primary School children, enjoying the We Will Cook project , learning about Indian food at Namaste Village.Lakenham Primary School children, enjoying the We Will Cook project , learning about Indian food at Namaste Village. (Image: Denise Bradley)

The school became part of the social initiative which was set up by Ormiston Academies Trust, which runs Lakenham primary's local high school - City of Norwich School - three years ago.

Lakenham joined forces with Namaste Village, which has been open for six years, after children shared dishes from their family heritage including Turkish and Greek food.

Norwich Evening News: Lakenham Primary School children enjoying the food in the We Will Cook project , learning about Indian food at Namaste Village. From left, Oliver, nine; Frankie, eight; Jacob, eight; and Olly, eight.Lakenham Primary School children enjoying the food in the We Will Cook project , learning about Indian food at Namaste Village. From left, Oliver, nine; Frankie, eight; Jacob, eight; and Olly, eight. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Shreya Dubey, 24, marketing manager for Namaste Village, said: "We Will Cook is about integrating children into different cultures and the best way to connect with culture is through food.

"The project helps tackle problems like racism and teaches children to embrace diversity.

"These children are our future and they should know how to behave with different cultures."

Norwich Evening News: Namaste Village assistant chef, Dhruvil Movaliyac, cooking for the Lakenham Primary School children, for the We Will Cook project learning about Indian food.Namaste Village assistant chef, Dhruvil Movaliyac, cooking for the Lakenham Primary School children, for the We Will Cook project learning about Indian food. (Image: Denise Bradley)

As well as trying tasty curries from northern and southern India, they watched chefs make traditional masala dosa dishes as well as learn about spices.

Miss Dubey added the day was extra special because the children's visit coincided with India's Republic Day, which marks the date on which the constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Norwich Evening News: Sarah, eight, one of the Lakenham Primary School children, enjoying the We Will Cook project , learning about Indian food at Namaste Village.Sarah, eight, one of the Lakenham Primary School children, enjoying the We Will Cook project , learning about Indian food at Namaste Village. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Clementine VandenBergh, year 4 teacher and project lead, said: "We Will Cook is about social youth action. Because Namaste is very community focussed it was a perfect match.

"The aim of the project is that the children develop a lot of skills so they have a social conscious."

She added the food was central to project and created an "immersive" experience for the children, which helped increase their overall knowledge.

Norwich Evening News: Lakenham Primary School children, Otto, nine, left, and Satyaki, have empty plates in the We Will Cook project , learning about Indian food at Namaste Village. Lakenham Primary School children, Otto, nine, left, and Satyaki, have empty plates in the We Will Cook project , learning about Indian food at Namaste Village. (Image: Denise Bradley)

The teacher hoped the primary school would do more collaborative projects with Namaste and as well as the food tasting they will also fundraise to make food parcels for food banks.

Lakenham primary puil, Oliver, nine, said: "I really like Indian religion and how big the country is."

And another pupil, Otto, nine, said: "It is really nice food and important to learn about different cultures."