A FOOD production company based in Wells is helping to fund free training for school chefs in Somerset.

Charlie Bigham's has agreed to fund Chefs in Schools to deliver a culinary crash-course in cooking for school children.

The program hopes to provide more nutritious and tasty meals to schools in and around Wells, and aims to improve wellbeing, health, and attainment among students.

It covers everything from basic kitchen skills to masterclasses in nutrition, reducing food waste, coping with rising food prices and meeting the school food standards.

There are 33 spaces available on the course, which kicks off with an in-person session October 3 at Charlie Bigham’s Food Production Campus, in the former quarry in Dulcote, near Wells.

This is then followed by eight virtual sessions, each spanning half an hour, spread over the course of a term.

Schools with more than 40% pupils eligible for free school meals will get priority, and those interested can apply at https://chefsinschools.org.uk/sign-up-now/.

Laura Mumford, Head of Training at Chefs in Schools, said: “We’re so incredibly grateful to Charlie Bigham’s for funding this training.

“Being a school chef is a tough job - but there are so many tools, tricks and tips that can really help to produce amazing food in a school.

“Our training programme results in happier pupils, satisfied staff and brings wide-ranging benefits to the school.”

Charlie Bigham said, “We have been working with Chef’s in Schools for three years and are delighted to be supporting the training programme and the expansion of this incredible charity into Somerset.

"At Charlie Bigham’s we know how important a good meal is.

"We’ve seen first-hand the impact that Chefs in Schools can have on the overall wellbeing of schools, catering teams and the children themselves.

"We look forward to welcoming the trainees from the surrounding Wells area to our Quarry Kitchen in October.”