Sizzling start for Jamie Oliver centre » Local Government » 24dash.com

The nation's second Jamie Oliver Centre got off to a sizzling start yesterday in Bradford.

The celebrity chef sent a special message via a big screen to the official opening saying: "Good luck to everyone in Bradford! The Ministry of Food Centre is going to be fantastic and I am very proud of being involved in setting this one up as well as the first one Rotherham.

"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Bradford Council who are as passionate about this project as I am. The public is going to love it to bits. I hope to come up to Bradford and to Rotherham some time early next year."

The leader of Bradford Council, Cllr Kris Hopkins, said: "It's great to see this project coming to fruition because it has been a pipe dream for a while and we have had to work hard to make it a reality.

"I would like to thank our partners the NHS and RIEP for their support, and the fantastic financial commitment from local businesses such as Howdens Kitchens of Bradford.

"I am looking forward to people in Bradford using this resource to make a real positive change in their lives."

After the centre was opened the cook-off got off to a flying start with teenagers from Cafe West, who have been inspired by Jamie since he came to a healthy eating centre on the outskirts of Bradford city centre a year ago for his TV series, teaching Cllr Hopkins and John Chuter, chairman of NHS Bradford & Airedale, some recipes.

The teenagers are Laura Wild and Ashleigh Wardman who cooked salmon tikka on naan bread with cucumber yoghurt.

John Chuter said: "We support this project wholeheartedly and it is a welcome addition to the work being done across Bradford and Airedale to support people in leading healthier lifestyles. This centre is providing a fun and supportive environment for individuals and local groups to enhance their cooking skills."

The centre will be open Monday to Friday from 9.30am - 4.30pm unless staff and volunteers are out cooking in the community. There will be an evening class starting on Tuesdays and a kids club on a Saturday morning.

Anyone interested should ring Ministry of Food Manager Soraya Overend on 01274 435279.