Turton School - Healthy Eating School Visit

Today Paul Heathcote an old friend of Deborah Dunleavy, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Bolton NE joined her to visit his old school and that of Deborah's son who is in the 6th form. Deborah said she was there today not only with her political hat on, but as that of a 6^th form parent who would like to see healthier eating.

They share several interests from healthy eating to the link between leaving school, and joining what can be the frightening prospect of the workplace.

Paul started the day by talking to the pupils in assembly, and inspiring them to not only to have dreams but then to follow them. He then showed them a wonderful DVD on how to really enjoy work in the food industry. Paul said “ I didn’t do very well in my exams at school, but I was utterly focused at what I wanted to do and succeed in, in fact when I applied to work at Sharrow Bay in the Lakes I just kept writing and writing till eventually they gave me a job”

Paul and Deborah then introduced the team from the Bolton branch of the Olive Press, starting with their head chef Karl Popple and his assistant chef de partie Joe Devine. They were both joined by Ben Wiseman the General Manager.

Deborah said “Today is about promoting healthy eating and food awareness i.e. where the food comes from. It was a great opportunity to talk to the students about local produce. The Olive Press tries and uses produce grown and supplied from other local business, which obviously cuts down on the food miles.

It was also wonderful to see them all so enthusiastic about trying new foods, they all sampled yellow pepper soup, followed by Soya bean risotto served with sea bass and then a chicken and pasta dish, and I must say so did I" 

“It was also great to see them volunteering to have a go at filleting a Sea Bass and preparing the other ingredients; many of them were up there with the chefs in their aprons.”

It was also commented on by the teaching staff how good it was for all the boys to have male role models who were chefs, several of the students signed up for work experience.

Deborah went on to say how grateful she was for Paul's support, and how admirable it was that he was making so much effort to put back into the community where they both grew up. The cooking demonstrations are to be rolled out to all the secondary