Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge back to Lewisham school for free ‘Full Time Meals’

By Steffie Banatvala

Michelin-starred Tom Kerridge visited a primary school in Lewisham yesterday to take part in a fun food workshop for his ‘Full Time Meals’ campaign.

Mr Kerridge ran an assembly at Torridon Primary School, in Hazelbank Road, before competing in a cook off against the school’s popular Chartwell chef, Raheem Morgan, cooking a Mexican style lunch.

Mr Kerridge said: “We’ve had a fantastic day, filled with fun and laughter – that’s what cooking is all about. Food is a powerful tool to bring people and families together, as well as being vitally important to fuelling fun and learning.

“No punches are pulled when getting feedback from children, so it was great to see the dishes we serve go down a storm.”

After being cheered on by energetic Year 5 and 6 supporters, both teams were helped by pupils, while the onlooking class learned about nutrition through fun.

Ultimately Mr Morgan won the contest 2-0, as judged by a teacher-pupil panel.

Mr Morgan said: “I love coming to work and seeing the smiles on pupil’s faces, but today has been that extra bit special. I’m incredibly proud to work as a school caterer, feeding the future generation, and hopefully inspiring them to enjoy cooking at home.”

After the contest, Mr Kerridge used Mexican inspired Full Time Meals recipes to cook universally free of charge chicken, carrot and courgette spaghetti, and tortilla pizzas.

One of many happy children said: “I was impressed by how flavoursome and colourful the food was, it tasted amazing.”

Chartwells catering team also gave out bags of ingredients, supplied by M&S food, to parents at the end of the day.

Head teacher Manda George added: “It was wonderful to be able to provide every child with a free school meal today. I wish we were able to do so every day. Many of our families do not meet the current eligibility criteria and will be facing increasing financial pressure due to the cost of living crisis.”

Full Time Meals works with the leading school caterer Chartwells to #endchildpoverty by exciting children with food in a series of school ‘takeovers’ nationwide.

Pictured top: Pupils and Tom Kerridge during cook-off (Picture: Chartwells)