The atmosphere at SSWS crackled with a unique energy. It was not just the profound sense of relief that always settles in the day after the half-yearly exams, nor was it simply the giddy anticipation of the upcoming Diwali break. No, this was the sound of spoons clinking, quiet instructions being given, and a hundred little hands busy with colourful ingredients. It was the perfect backdrop for our most well-loved school activity: Chef’s Corner, transformed into a vibrant, delicious celebration for the grand Diwali Mela at our school SSWS!
Our young learners embarked on a special culinary journey. The idea was to explore different kinds of cuisines, not just through reading, but through doing. Our students became the chefs, and the challenge was to create their own delicious, healthy food entirely through flameless cooking under careful supervision. Crucially, as they cooked, our pupils also learned the nutritive values of different ingredients they were using, turning the kitchen into a practical science and health class.
The higher grades showed remarkable finesse. Their corner was a hub of Savory treats, concocting a beautiful array of healthy chaats. I watched as they layered ingredients for the crunchy sev puri and the tangy papdi chaat, and created a truly
vibrant and nutritious sprout chaat. The focus was on freshness and flavour, and they mastered it.
Meanwhile, our younger chefs were just as busy and every bit as enthusiastic. They were responsible for the sweeter, wholesome side of the menu. With immense concentration, they made delightful sandwiches, rolled energy-packed ladoos using healthy sesame, ground nut, and jaggery, and mixed up airy, flavourful puff rice bhel. Our young chefs, from the littlest to the tallest, truly did it all by themselves.
The most heartening moment, however, came after the cooking was done. What was truly interesting to see was how our chefs served others with love and care. There was no rush to eat their own creations; instead, they moved with a gentle pride, offering plates to their friends, their teachers, and the entire school staff. It was a beautiful, spontaneous display of community and selflessness that embodied the true spirit of Diwali. For those few wonderful hours, the whole school was engulfed with this celebration—a delicious, aromatic, and genuinely heartwarming send-off into the festive holiday.
