NHS chef to go into schools to boost kids cooking

The new 'Chef in Schools' programme will be launched in November across Basildon and Thurrock schools and is the first of its kind. It is about empowering children to adopt a healthy diet. A professional chef will work with children and their families across 10 primary schools. Tanya Amstein, senior healthy schools advisor explained further: "The chef will teach children and their parents essential cooking skills through hands on cooking classes. This will help them develop a better relationship with food and increase their confidence to make their own food at home. This is a great way to address the current obesity epidemic." Laura Gandon, Change4Life team leader added: "This is a very exciting project as we are the first area to run a project like this through the NHS. "Key elements of the programme are about healthy eating with children whilst promoting a fun environment for spending quality time with family. We hope families will learn some tasty recipes and have fun cooking together."