Ready, Steady, Cook - School Dinners On The Menu At Food Festival

Wigan and Leigh schools will go head-to-head to be crowned Mini Chef champions 2008.

For the first time schools will compete in a Ready, Steady, Cook style event as part of the borough's second Food and Drink Festival.

Under the watchful eye of celebrity chef Tom Bridge youngsters from five schools will compete in a cook off as part of a series of events called Wigan Outdoor Market Kitchen Theatre.

Choosing from a list of core ingredients the 14 to 16-year-olds will have just 45 minutes to cook up a sumptuous storm in the kitchen.

Westleigh High's Chelsea Duffy, 15, and Jack Leyland, 16, (pictured above) are looking forward to the challenge.

Jack said: "I can't wait. It?s a bit daunting but we?re both looking forward to competing against teams from other schools."

Head of vocational enterprise learning at Westleigh High is Gerry Bamber.

She said: "Hopefully they?ll be confident and it should give them a sense of pride when they compete against other schools.

"It's an exciting opportunity for them to work alongside a chef of this quality."

Keith Bergman, Tourism Manager for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust said: "This is a great opportunity for students to learn new cookery skills alongside one of the best chefs in the business.

"It's a bit of fun but also a great experience for the children and I expect it to be very popular."

Wigan Market Outdoor Kitchen Theatre starts on Monday 6th October and runs until Saturday 11th October. Each day visitors to the courtyard in Wigan Outdoor Market in the town centre can experience scores of different interactive events from a demonstration in how to perfect a three course pie dinner to a talk and tasting session from Wigan based Allgates - the award winning brewery.

The Outdoor Kitchen Theatre is one part of Wigan's second Food and Drink Festival.

For ten days from 3rd October visitors, residents and food fans can enjoy a Fine Food Trail, a real ale trail called 'The Road to Wigan Beer'and a celebration of Café Culture.

Keith added: "Wigan Outdoor Market Theatre is a key element of the food festival.

"Getting people interested and interacting with the chefs and trying some of the mouth watering dishes is always popular."

Wigan's own school version of Ready, Steady, Cook will take place on Tuesday 7 October at 11am.

Schools taking part include Westleigh, Pembec@Kingsdown High, St Edmund Arrowsmith, St John Fisher and the Deanery High.

For details of the full programme contact Wigan Tourist Information Centre on 01942 825677 or visit www.wlct.org/foodanddrink.