Celebrity chef Paul Rankin cooks up a treat for West Kirby school (From Wirral Globe)

Celebrity chef Paul Rankin cooks up a treat for West Kirby school

3:41pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Stephanie Cureton

CELEBRITY chef Paul Rankin dropped into a Wirral school to serve up some culinary treats for students.

The star who has made guest appearances on Saturday Kitchen and Ready Steady Cook, joined cooks at West Kirby Grammar School to prepare his signature fish and pasta dishes on Tuesday.

As part of his visit, Paul also found time to hold special master classes for pupils and their parents.

Paul said: “I’m here to encourage kids to try different healthy and tasty foods. It’s also great to be at West Kirby Grammar during this its centenary year and celebrating such a landmark birthday.

“If you look back in history you’ll find that at one time school meals were very wholesome, dishes that granny used to make, but then the country went through a phase of serving up convenience food.

"These days we have to be aware that school dinners are the fuel that young people depend on.

“Meals have to be nutritious and good to eat because children these days are much more demanding about taste and flavours and what they want.”

The school’s own head chef, Tina Mountain, a former winner of the UK School Cook of the Year, also impressed Paul with her take on his fish, pasta and lasagne recipes.