Kids’ cookery school proving a perfect recipe for success!

Little Sprout Academy brings fun, hands-on cookery classes to children aged 4–11.

Founded by two local mums with a love for good food and growing things, their mission is to help children discover the joy of cooking and learn where their food comes from.

Little Sprout Academy hosts engaging sessions in schools, nurseries, and community spaces — blending cooking, creativity, and a little bit of gardening!

From no-bake snacks to simple home-cooked meals, every class encourages confidence, teamwork, and healthy habits that last a lifetime. The classes are designed to be educational, eco-conscious, and above all, fun - planting seeds for a lifelong love of food.

Banbridge mums, Deirdre Lyle and Katie Mooney, explained how the venture came about. “Little Sprout Academy grew out of one of our many coffee-and-kids dates,” Katie told the Chronicle.

“Our daughters have been close friends since they were two, and all three of our children have been in the kitchen with us from the moment they could stand - sometimes before!

“We're also both passionate about homemade, nutritious food, especially with and for our little ones.

“When Deirdre started a vegetable garden in 2023, the idea really began to take shape, especially seeing the kids' excitement at eating homegrown food.

“We've both realised how powerful it is when children understand where their food comes from: how it grows, how to harvest it, how to prepare it, and what makes it taste great. Seeing that spark in our own kids inspired us to share the experience with other families.”

Deirdre is a mum-of-two and a chartered accountant turned entrepreneur, running a travel business and leading ‘Mums in Business International’ in both the Newry and Banbridge areas.

She said: “I’m passionate about supporting women in business without them having to compromise family life.

“Being a MIB leader allows me to grow my business portfolio with my kids alongside me at child-friendly networking events.”

Katie is mum to a brilliant little girl and has an extensive background working with children as a volunteer teacher, play therapy counsellor, supporting young carers and in school learning support assistant.

The pair met at a mum and baby group in 2022 and have been inseparable - and full of ideas - ever since!

Little Sprout Academy currently runs weekly classes in Banbridge Angling Club.

Deirdre and Katie are also in discussions with several local primary schools about expanding their reach. Deirdre explained: “We're currently running blocks of four weekly classes on a Monday afternoon.

“You can find details of any available spaces on Eventbrite (www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/little-sprout-academy-ni-120625510007)

“The kids will have a great time learning new skills, making new friends and growing in confidence through having independence in how they work and what choices they make.

“We're already seeing the incredible impact of the class coming together to try new things. Many of the children are practising being brave and trying new foods they didn't like previously, it makes us so proud!

“As for the grown-ups, they can expect an evening off from cooking dinner for their little ones, plus 90 minutes of a break knowing their kids are well looked after and having fun.” Katie said the ultimate goal of Little Sprout Academy is to change how children think about food. “We want them to look beyond supermarket packaging and discover how delicious, colourful and exciting wholesome food can be.

“We focus on learning through fun; plenty of hands-on cooking, plenty of mess, and plenty of confidence-building.

“Teaching kids to grow and cook their own food gives them life skills that will stay with them forever, and we know our Little Sprouts will thrive because of it.”

“We would love to be the reason lots of Little Sprouts end up cooking with their families with their newly acquired skills!” Deirdre added.

Email: [email protected]; or follow Little Sprout Academy NI on Facebook/Instagram.