A council cooking initiative has been helping families to cook from scratch on a budget.
The project, by Stafford Borough Council, aimed to help residents who are struggling with the current economic climate, while inspiring them to cook international dishes at the same time.
Cook and Eat events were organised across the borough and recipes were taken from Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. The idea was inspired by the Olympics and aimed to represent the five rings of the Olympic flag.
Councillor Frank Finlay, Stafford Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for health, said: “People will be amazed that they can make some truly international dishes quickly and simply with affordable ingredients. They are all tasty, nutritious and perfectly healthy.
“Cooking meals from scratch is so much more rewarding than buying processed foods.
“It is sociable, does not need to cost more or take too long, and you know exactly what you are eating. You also have the great satisfaction of knowing that a delicious meal is all your own work.”
The sessions were held at the council’s Signpost Centres and led by well-know local chef Liz Chapman of caterers Everyday Delicious.
Liz said: “It is such a pleasure showing people who think they can’t cook make really wholesome and inviting meals.
“The Olympic theme of these Cook and Eat sessions really does introduce something different, but without making the meals any more difficult or expensive to prepare.”
Recipes included babotie, stifado, sticky barbecue chicken wings, beanburgers and Hyderabadi chicken curry.
Journalism student Ross Gregory will also be a lifeguard at the Aquatics Centre.