TEACHING pupils how to make healthy meals has proved a recipe for success for a St Albans school which has scooped a special award for its cooking club.

Marlborough Science Academy was awarded a Golden Spoon gong from Let’s Get Cooking for taking part in the national initiative which aims to bring local communities together through cooking.

The club was singled out due to the valuable contribution from the school’s chef Stuart Hubbard, who helps teach the lessons and has inspired some of the students to consider a cooking career.

Alison Pantling, who runs the programme, said: “Stuart has been able to really encourage the boys to take part and enjoy food. He’s become a role model for them. They look up to him and really focus during club sessions.

“Two boys even asked if they could work shadow him for a day which is something they would have never thought about doing before.”

The school was presented with their award by television presenter Kate Bellingham, best-known for hosting Tomorrow’s World and children’s TV show The Big Bang, at a ceremony in London.

Let’s Get Cooking senior manager Maggie Sims said: “Using food and cooking is a natural way to bring people together. With Marlborough Science Academy we’ve seen first-hand how it can help people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities build relationships and make new friends.

“Learning how to cook a nutritious meal from scratch and on a budget can make such a difference to people’s health, and it’s so much more fun when you can do it alongside others.”