Top of the class

Nov 14 2008 by Jane Hall, The Journal

Inspired to cook

NICK Copson has inspired one Teesdale pupil to follow in his culinary footsteps.

Michael England, 16, from Barnard Castle, has been so impressed by the changes Nick has wrought in the school canteen that he now wants to be a chef.

Michael, who is studying nine GCSE’s, including maths, geography and food and nutrition, has helped his mentor in the kitchen, and will tomorrow night join forces with other students to host a gala dinner at the school to help raise money for Children in Need.

He says: "Nick has made lunchtimes interesting again. The canteen is now cleaner and the food healthier and nicer."

Restaurant-style meal for £2

LEAH Stephenson admits her friends were shocked when they discovered her parents were supplying Teesdale School with lamb.

But now the 17-year-old of Pikestone Farm, Woodland, near Barnard Castle, says everyone thinks it’s great that local food is on the menu.

And no-one wants to go back to the old days when pizza and chips ruled the lunchtime roost.

Leah, whose is taking geography, sociology and English language at A-level and plans to study nursing at Northumbria University in Newcastle, says: "It’s great that things like lamb aren’t being shipped over from New Zealand and that people now know where their food is coming from.

"I think everyone prefers the canteen we have now over the old one. It used to be the same old stuff every day. Now you get something different, and it is proper food like you would get at home. Sixth formers are allowed to go into town to get lunch if they want, but most prefer to stay in school.

"I love the fact that you can get a restaurant-style meal for £2, and that there are dishes from around the world you can try, like Thai curry."