6:13pm Thursday 9th July 2009
By Hannah Baker
Bradford is to get the country’s second Ministry of Food project led by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
The centre, to be created in John Street in the city centre, will provide expert cookery demonstrations, classes and lifestyle advice to help people improve their diets and health.
Bradford Council has secured £80,000 from Local Government Yorkshire and Humber for the centre and it has agreed to provide £120,000 towards its annual running costs.
Support for the venture, which is hoped to open in October, is also being sought from other partners including NHS Bradford and Airedale and Bradford College.
Mr Oliver, who set up the first Ministry of Food in Rotherham last year which was the subject of a TV series, said: “It’s fantastic news that Bradford Council has agreed a Ministry of Food.
“The continuing success of the Ministry Centre in Rotherham has proved to me that there are hundreds of thousands of people across Britain who desperately want to learn to cook but have never had the chance.
“Now, Bradford has taken a huge step forward and I hope that the good people of Bradford and the surrounding area feel that the Ministry of Food is a place where they can feel welcome, drop in any time for food advice as well as learning a few delicious meals along the way.”
Council leader, Councillor Kris Hopkins, said: “I’m sure this Ministry of Food Centre will have a big impact on the district and anything that can be done to improve the health of the district’s residents and combat obesity should be welcomed.
“It will help improve skills, aspiration and enterprise through links with catering courses and this will help in the regeneration of the district.”
Courses at the Rotherham Ministry of Food run from Monday to Friday. At weekend tutors do cookery demonstrations at schools and with community groups.
A ten-week course at the centre starts with students being taught how to boil an egg and finishes with the perfect Sunday roast. They also learn about kitchen hygiene, salt and sugar intake, the importance of five fruit or vegetables a day and are given other advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
e-mail: hannah.baker @bradford.newsquest.co.uk
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