MOVE over Jamie Oliver!

Youngsters have been putting their summer holidays to good use by cooking up a storm in Slaithwaite.

Sixty children have been taking part in Cook-A-Doodle-Do cookery classes learning to cook a variety of healthy recipes both savoury and sweet.

Soda bread, vegetable bake, carrot muffins, baked apple parcels and fruit filled melons were among the dishes which children aged between eight and 13 have created.

One of the young chefs, Alicia Mansaf, said: “The volunteers are great. They teach us many new skills and techniques and are really enthusiastic about passing on their knowledge of cooking, healthy eating, safety in the kitchen and a love of good food.

“They have inspired us to want to cook at home.”

And fellow chef Freddie Best said: “We have had an exciting summer with lots of new children coming along to the cookery sessions. We have made new friends and learnt lots of new skills.”

Polly Whitehead, who helped set up the organisation last year, said: “We are a group of mothers and grandmothers.

“Some are teachers, retired professional bakers and cooks, but all share a passion for food.

“We have had financial support from Kirklees Council, Colne Valley Lions, Community Spirit and the Huddersfield Common Good Trust and are always looking for funds.”

The school is a not for profit organisation and everyone involved is an unpaid volunteer. Children are charged a minimum amount for ingredients.

They are currently using industrial ovens, but hoping to raise enough funds for portable ovens which it is hoped will broaden the children’s horizons even further.

The children and volunteers held a special afternoon tea party yesterday.

It was held at Slaithwaite Community Centre and was to celebrate the skills they had learned during the summer.

They cooked and prepared various foods and invited guests and supporters of the school to come along and sample them.