YOUNGSTERS enjoyed a cooking competition at Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food.

The Bradford branch held cooking classes over the summer holiday, with 110 children making dishes such as chicken fajitas, salmon tikka and homemade fish fingers. The youngsters, aged eight to 14, cooked with ingredients from the Oastler Market and learned about nutrition.

The classes culminated in a cooking competition, with 11 children trying to impress judges by creating a healthy meal featuring all five food groups. The winner was Erin May, eight, who cooked a prawn curry with wholemeal pitta bread. Erin won a pasta making master class, and a meal for her family, at Jamie’s Italian restaurant in Leeds.

Ministry of Food project manager Soraya Overend said: "It’s been the busiest summer we’ve ever had.

"It’s been a pleasure to welcome so many enthusiastic young people, see them develop their skills as cooks and hopefully give them a better understanding of a healthy diet. Congratulations to Erin for being such a star and cooking an amazing, prize-winning dish’.

Ministry of Food cookery courses throughout September. Call (01274) 435279 or email ministryoffood@bradford.gov.uk