CHILDREN at a Chester school have been cooking up a storm thanks to inspiration from a Premier League ace and a top chef.

St Martin's Academy youngsters followed a healthy eating menu devised by Manchester United footballer and school meals campaigner Marcus Rashford, along with Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge.

Year 6 children at St Martins Academy, Chester, cook up a treat inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford and chef Tom Kerridge.

Year 6 children at St Martin's Academy, Chester, cook up a treat inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford and chef Tom Kerridge.

Children from Year 6 prepared chicken satay for their classmates, sourcing ingredients at local shops, in support of the #EndChildFoodPoverty campaign launched by the England international last year.

Rashford and Kerridge, who owns several restaurants across the country, want to inspire children aged 11 to 18 by starring in a new series of five-minute films which demonstrate how families can quickly cook cheap, healthy and filling meals.

Year 6 children at St Martins Academy, Chester, cook up a treat inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford and chef Tom Kerridge.

Year 6 children at St Martin's Academy, Chester, cook up a treat inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford and chef Tom Kerridge.

Wenda Smith, head of school, said: "We feel it is an important and very worthwhile campaign headed up by Marcus Rashford, and provides an inspirational way of teaching our pupils about the value of nutrition and how healthy meals can be sourced and cooked.

"The group from our top class walked to Hoole to shop for the ingredients, which had been scaled up to ensure that their classmates all had a chance to try the finished dish.

"The aim was to purchase the ingredients locally, with the children choosing convenience stores as their destination.

"Each week, as a part of the programme, the children will consider the environmental impact of their purchasing, sourcing locally if they are able, shopping in independent shops as well as trying out the larger supermarkets and comparing the cost of each meal depending on where you go.”

Year 6 children at St Martins Academy, Chester, cook up a treat inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford and chef Tom Kerridge.

Year 6 children at St Martin's Academy, Chester, cook up a treat inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford and chef Tom Kerridge.

Teacher Joe Williams added: “The children were really proud of the meal they had cooked and were exhausted even before they started the washing up.

"It has shown that our children really want to get into the kitchen and start learning how to be independent during meal preparation, and that we really need to get Marcus and Tom’s Chicken Satay on our lunchtime menu!”

Rashford, 23, has become a national hero for his campaign to end food poverty, which has forced the Government into several U-turns over providing free school meals during the pandemic.

Hoole primary school St Martin's is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, and is one of eight schools run by North West Academies Trust.

For more information about St Martin’s Academy, email: admin@stmartinsacademychester.co.uk or call 01244 566166.