mmg.com.au

Twelve district residents are learning about cooking as part of Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food mobile kitchen.

The residents are being supported by Heathcote Health and the City of Greater Bendigo to take part in the five-week week program of learning how to cook simple healthy and tasty meals using fresh ingredients.

Each class runs for 90 minutes and participants take home what they have made to share with their family and friends.

After the first class, Faith den Elzen said she loved it.

‘‘I am excited to try cooking different things,’’ she said.

‘‘I got a different outlook on cooking and I felt really proud when I saw my results.

‘‘It helped me do things that I couldn’t do before.

‘‘It was great to cook with other people at the same time and then we get to take things home that we make every week and share it with our family and friends.

‘‘I am really hoping that the program helps me to cook at home, particularly when we only have a stove top at home, and it helped me better understand how to cook fresh food.’’

Chef Angie Salisbury, who is also a participant, said one of the benefits of the Jamie’s Ministry of Food opportunity was that it provided a chance to spend quality time with her daughter, Mia.

‘‘I understand the benefits supporting the things happening in the community,’’ she said.

‘‘A lot of people in Heathcote have vegetable gardens and learning to use the local produce and what’s in season can really have some fun.

‘‘I just enjoy learning more all the time about what’s good for your body and how to get the most from your ingredients.’’