Stop eating ‘processed muck’ and get cooking says TV chef Lesley Waters at opening of charity Autism Unlimited’s Portfield School sixth form college

CELEBRITY chef Lesley Waters has urged people to stop consuming “processed muck” and learn how to cook healthy meals from scratch.

The patron of Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust said she had been “shocked” to meet people who live on microwave meals. “They don’t own an oven or hob,” she said. “They don’t even know how to cook something simple like rice.”

Research recently published in the British Medical Journal revealed that ultra-processed foods have been linked to 32 harmful health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and mental health problems.

Lesley, who appeared at this year’s Highcliffe Food Festival, said the subject of processed food is “something I am very passionate about”.

She added: “I think it is so unhealthy for people. Processed food is just full of stuff that can affect the body in a bad way. Cooking real food, not processed, is so much healthier for you.

“It really worries me how much people are relying on processed food without realising what it can do to their health. I try to educate people about it and encourage them to cook from scratch.

“People are worried that it is going to be really complicated but there are very quick, easy recipes you can follow that result in a very healthy, good meal.”

Lesley has written 20 cookery books, including one called Healthy Food. She studied French cuisine at college before joining Prue Leith’s restaurant, where she became senior chef. She has appeared on numerous TV shows including James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen and This Morning.

She blames the mass move towards processed foods on the fact that most school children no longer study domestic science, saying: “There are a couple of generations who never learnt to cook at school. They just don’t know how to.

“Instead, they use ready meals all the time. Jamie Oliver did a really good job at trying to get learning how to cook back into schools, but I’m not sure how successful it has been in the long run.

“I think it is so important to be able to cook really healthy food for yourself.”

Lesley was speaking at the official opening of Autism Unlimited’s Portfield School sixth form college on Airfield Road in Christchurch.

She was joined in the college’s professional training kitchen by students who helped her prepare a variety of dishes for guests including then-Christchurch mayor Vivenne Charrett.

She said: “During the last session we managed to prepare three different dishes in 45 minutes – that is how easy it can be.

“That was with students who had not prepared anything like this before.

“They picked it up really quickly and did so well and we had great fun as well.

“They are not only learning how to cook but also learning life skills that are going to really help them, like how to weigh things properly, what ingredients something contains.

“I think all the students today should be really proud of themselves and some of them have shown real talent in the kitchen.

“If they wanted to take cooking up as a career, there are lots of doors open to them; it’s not all about restaurant kitchens where the pressure can be really high.

“There is food blogging, food photography and home baking to name just a few.”

Lesley has been involved in several projects with Portfield School in the past.

“I think it is absolutely amazing,” she said.

“Rather than trying to get them to conform, it brings out the best in them.

“I wasn’t academic at all and didn’t do well at school.

“What was great for me was finding something I loved, which was cooking.

“I think that is what is important for students here – finding something they are passionate about.”

Portfield students Robbie Piper (18) and Luca Taylor (15) loved their time in the kitchen helping Lesley to cook cheesy bread, a cassoulet with borlotti beans and apple topped with feta cheese parcels, followed by scones with mascarpone cheese and fresh raspberries.