My food consulting has been recognised as: “one of the most valuable tools in changing the way food is prepared and cooked for children within the education system.”

Over the past 5 years I have established a leading kitchen brand within an early years setting in Herefordshire.  Across two nurseries we produced fresh, healthy and delicious food using only fresh produce, eliminating the use of salt and sugar in all dishes and replacing these with natural ingredients, herbs, spices, natural sugars and nectars. To support the kitchen and educate the children we developed a wonderful kitchen garden, growing many of our own vegetables, soft fruits, herbs and even incorporating a flock of free range hens. This allowed the children to embrace sowing, nurturing and eventually harvesting the produce a proven valuable education and enriching experience.  

I realise how privileged these children have been within that setting, but I strongly believe that through education every child should be given the chance to have a connection with the earth and not only to learn how to grow their own crops, but also to be able to change the freshest of ingredients into nutritious and delicious dishes.

So, as a food consultant, I am driven by the ambition to promote a re-connection with fresh, local and wholesome food throughout early years settings, as well as in primary and secondary schools. By working with school chefs and cooks I can establish the changes required to implement improvements to menus, staff training and how to cook a new range of healthy, well balanced, delicious food. I also engage with local suppliers to ensure budgets are achieved and food miles are reduced.

To support the adoption of the changes I would always recommend a series of demonstrations and talks. These are always bespoke but can include cooking lessons so children and adults can learn how to cook and transform the freshest of ingredients into delicious meals. Evening talks are also available so parents and carers can engage with the Healthy Eating Ethos and understand the crucial role food plays in children’s development.