Grassland product masterclass in Vidzeme Technical College of Technology and Design

On 12 November, the Latvian Fund for Nature together with the association "Young Chefs' Movement" (Jauno pavāru kustība) held the seventh masterclass on natural meadow products, this time at the Vidzeme University of Technology and Design. The aim of the masterclass was to raise young professionals' awareness of the products that can be obtained from Latvia's natural grasslands and the wide range of culinary uses for these products.

The Masterclass was preceded by an educational seminar for 2nd and 3rd year chefs about Latvia's natural grasslands and their products. It ended with a short sprint competition with prizes. The Young Chefs Movement then introduced themselves, highlighting their participation in various festivals and other events and inviting future chefs to join in and participate.

The practical part was followed by a masterclass, which was conducted by experienced chefs - Artūrs Trinkuns from the restaurant "Barents" and Markus Žamoidiks from the restaurant "B7".

Nature offers products, ideas and exciting possibilities - don't be afraid to experiment! This was repeatedly stressed by the workshop leaders. Young people had the opportunity to cook their own different meals using products from natural meadows: lamb, sheep's milk and yoghurt and honey. A member of the association, farmer Pēteris Langrāts from the farm "Siliņi", showed how to use both wild and cultivated plants in cooking and decorating.

The masterclass used lamb and honey from the "Priežukalns" farm and sheep's milk products from Iluta Straģe's "Piena aitas bio" farm.  These producers manage natural meadows and their products are labelled "Natural Meadow Product".

Natural grasslands are the most threatened habitats in the European Union and in Latvia, and depend on human activities for their survival. Over the last century, the area of natural grasslands has declined rapidly and now covers only 0.9% of Latvia's territory (compared to more than 30% about 100 years ago). Natural grasslands provide us as a society with many different benefits, which can be described in a few words as ecosystem services that are very important for the well-being of society.

Today, nature conservation is looking for innovative ways to integrate nature conservation into farming. One such innovation is the Latvian Fund for Nature's "Grassland Product" label. This label is used to mark products produced in natural grasslands.

Masterclasses for future chefs are organised within the EU LIFE-IP LatViaNature project with the aim of supporting entrepreneurship for sustainable management of natural grasslands.