An increased appetite for healthy cookery courses

Back-to-basics cookery lessons devised by a Masterchef finalist are helping Lincolnshire households create healthy meals on a budget.

Rising food and energy prices have caused some people to cut back back on meals, research suggests.

More than 250 people have taken part in the budget-friendly courses so far and there are plans to expand the project.

Course leader Rob Hewis said the courses were "helping people cut back on ultra-processed food and save money".

Mr Hewis and his business partner, 2012 Masterchef finalist Eammon Hunt, created GoGro CIC, a Lincoln-based not-for-profit business, in 2022.

The community interest company's programme, which is funded from grants, includes courses on creating healthy budget meals with everyday ingredients, using a slow cooker.

"Food touches everyone and it's lovely to see the groups become little communities throughout the courses," said Mr Hewis.

"A lot of people buy food in jars thinking it will be cheaper, but we want to try to encourage people to buy less ultra-processed foods and more fresh and local food while still saving money."

Angela and Trevor Hallam, aged 82 and 79 respectively, said they had been inspired by the Cooking4All course.

"I've been doing a bit more cooking for Angela, although she does more for me," Mr Hallam said.

"He still couldn't do a roast dinner though," Mrs Hallam joked.

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