Local chefs visit schools in Bolton to inspire children to eat British

The visits, which coincide with British Food Fortnight, have been organised as part of the council's Love British Food campaign which was launched last week at Bolton Market. Six visits have been organised in total. Earlier this week (21 September) chef Nick Cullen from the restaurant Nicks on Chorley Old Road, visited his old school, Mount St Josephs in Farnworth. Other visits will be taking place as follows this week – Wednesday September 22, Mike Harrison at Rivington and Blackrod High School; Friday September 24, Bolton Council's school meal training chef Phil Ogden. Next week, on Tuesday September 28, Mr Ogden will be visiting Harper Green High School and a chef from Indian restaurant Spice Valley will visit St Catherine's academy. Nick O'Mahoney from Egerton House, will visit Sharples High School on Friday October 1. All the chefs will be teaching young people about food, the benefits of healthy eating and the value of eating fresh, quality, seasonal and regional produce. They will each be cooking a variety of dishes using British ingredients. Councillor Akhtar Zaman, Bolton Council's executive member for environmental services, said: "We're grateful to all the chefs who have given up their valuable time to go down to the schools. "This campaign presents the perfect opportunity to get children interested in healthy eating. Hopefully, by talking to the chefs first hand, young people will understand the benefits of eating fresh, local produce. This may in turn encourage them to eat a nutritious and tasty school meal." Around 80% of ingredients for Bolton's school dinners come from suppliers living in the area, compared with the national figure of 27%.