Bradford College

Ready Steady Cook

Celebrity Chef, Lesley Waters, well known for her regular television appearances on Ready Steady Cook, This Morning, Can’t Cook Won’t Cook, and Great Food Live, visited the College to offer healthy eating advice to students and staff.  

Lesley spent the morning with students on Hospitality and Catering Courses and chatted to College catering staff about healthy food on the menu.  Later in the afternoon, she attended the first National Annual Healthy College Conference, hosted by the College at the Midland Hotel, Bradford.  

Delivering a presentation to over 200 delegates, Lesley spoke about her work with “Healthy Schools” and the importance of continuing this work in colleges. Lesley aimed to get two messages across to delegates at the conference: the importance of a balanced diet and changing attitudes to eating in the home.

As a regular contributor to Good Food and You Are What You Eat magazine, Lesley knows how health and well being can be improved through diet and nutrition.  Lesley explained:  "It's very, very important healthy eating is explained to educators and students in colleges - but really it should start before then.  It needs to begin in nurseries when children are four and needs to include the entire family.”

Bradford College has been singled-out for praise by the Government, receiving official Healthy College status - only the third College in the country to be awarded the accolade. Jane Marshall, Healthy College Manager was the pioneer behind the success of the College gaining Healthy College status.  Jane explained: "We joined the Healthy College Network so our students could develop the skills, information and understanding to make important life and health choices. We’ve found it’s also benefited our staff as they have increased knowledge of health and well-being and how it can play a part in developing and maintaining a positive College culture!”

Jane continued:" Our students have also been offered a variety of health initiatives such as free breakfasts, Chlamydia testing and condom distribution.  All aimed at helping them create a healthier lifestyle which they can carry on into their working lives."

Michele Sutton, College Principal and Chief Executive went on to add: “The Government is beginning to understand the need to engage with people after they leave school.  Bradford College are therefore developing the Healthy College initiative and investing in new sports and fitness facilities to develop and support healthier lifestyles for our students. ”