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Head chef launches campaign to combat holiday hunger

A Gateshead chef has teamed up with a local food bank to help educate school children and their parents how to maintain a healthy diet over the summer months and combat ‘holiday hunger’.

Chris Wells, head chef at the Marriott Gateshead, has invited 25 local children into his kitchen in August to try their hand at three specially created dishes. The children were asked to pick their favourite meals and were sent home with the ingredients to replicate the meal for their families that night.

All meals were easy-to-make, healthy and cost-effective.

The initiative is in response to reports that food banks across the country are expecting a surge in referrals during the six-week summer break as families feel the loss of a guaranteed daily free school meal per child.

Chris Wells, Marriott Executive Head Chef, said: “Sadly, school is the only time some kids will receive a hot meal – either because of money restrictions or time pressures on parents. While not an issue throughout the school year now everyone is entitled to a free school meal, the summer months present a problem for some families.

“I wanted to create a scheme whereby we were educating children on the importance of healthy eating and also empowering them to help out at home – by offering to help mum and dad in the kitchen, a daily hot meal shouldn’t be so much of a chore for time-poor parents.

“I also wanted to put my food knowledge to good use – creating healthy and cost-effective meals that are simple and easy to make. I look forward to welcoming the next generation of chefs into my kitchen at the Marriott.”

Marriott Gateshead has teamed up with the Salvation Army and the Gateshead Food bank at the Methodist Church in Blaydon to deliver this scheme. The hotel is also accepting all donations of tinned food during this time.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by C Franks .