JamieOliver.com

Mon 01 Feb 2010 @ 18:11
Camilla Cameron

You may perhaps have seen the news that the 3rd Ministry of Food Centre is due to open in Spring in Leeds in partnership with the NHS and Leeds City Council.

This is fantastic news and we are delighted that Leeds will now have a dedicated Food Centre where people can go to learn how to cook simple, tasty and nutritious meals for themselves and their families. Naturally too, we are immensely grateful to the PCT and Council for all their support and enthusiasm for the project.

The new Ministry of Food Centre will be based in the wonderful Kirkgate Market. A much-loved city centre landmark, the market contains somewhere in the region of 800 stalls and is said to be the largest covered market in Europe!

The Ministry of Food Centre will teach Jamie’s specially developed cookery course and classes will be led by local staff who have been especially trained by our own fabulous Food Team. The classes will aim to use locally sourced ingredients, including those from the Kirkgate Market itself, which will ensure people on the courses can easily find everything they need to replicate what they’ve learned at home with their friends, neighbours or families.

Councillor Andrew Carter, Leader of Leeds City Council and executive member responsible for Kirkgate Market, said: “This is a fantastic initiative which will be a great boost to Kirkgate Market...Everyone who shops at Leeds Kirkgate Market knows that the market sells some of the freshest and most varied food at the lowest prices. I am sure the market will extend a warm welcome to the Ministry of Food arriving in summer and that the project will be a huge success.”

This is a wonderful development for the Ministry of Food campaign and I am delighted that we are going to open our 3rd Food Centre in such a wonderful city as Leeds and such a great environment as the Kirkgate Market. With all the help we have had from the PCT and City Council, I know it will be a great success and I can’t wait to see it in action!”

The Leeds Kirkgate Market Ministry of Food is due to launch later in the year – so watch this space for further updates!

About the author: Camilla Cameron, Campaigns Manager for Jamie Oliver Ltd

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