Citywide Services launches Development Chefs Programme to promote school meals
Citywide Services has introduced its Development Chefs Programme, a transformative initiative designed to get children and families making healthy, seasonal, cost effective, fun choices both at school and at home through hands on chef based cookery lessons.
Kicking off this summer, skilled Development Chefs will work hands-on across primary schools, supporting Citywide staff with menu innovation, training, and vibrant, seasonal recipe development.
The programme echoes the success of Citywide’s ‘Food for Champions’ campaign, bringing food education directly into schools featuring:
- Whole-class chef demonstrations - live cookery demonstrations in the school hall showcasing seasonal, fresh, colourful, vegetable’s in a range of dishes with multiple tastings;
- Small-group cook-alongs - up to eight pupils cooking alongside chefs, learning chef skills and making nutritious meals following current food trends;
- Parent-and-child cooking workshops - interactive experiences to get parents and children cooking together. The workshops focus on encouraging healthy eating at home in a budget friendly way while having fun.
Development Chefs will also lead cookery clubs, workshops, recipe innovation, and bring the children’s feedback from the education programme into Citywide’s seasonal school menus - all in adherence to national School Food Standards and sustaining our Soil Associations Food for Life Bronze Award.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, celebrates the launch:
"This programme is exactly the kind of engaging programme Salford's children deserve. Our Development Chefs will not only show how cooking can be fun but they’ll empower children, support kitchen staff, and build lifelong healthy habits across our city."
This initiative further cements Salford City Council’s commitment to public health, education, and sustainable, community-led food practices.
Citywide Catering provides school meals to most of Salford's schools, focusing on quality ingredients and balanced nutrition to support children's health and learning.
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About the Cabinet member
More information about Councillor Barbara Bentham
Councillor Barbara Bentham is the Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety.