When I set out on my journey as a school dinner lady I never thought I would end up trying to actually change the way that children eat.
Since those days, however, the concept of family eating seems to have been eroded. Today, families are more fragmented. Parents feel they have not time to cook, so resort to ready meals (which weren't around 25 years ago).
Children have also been introduced to foods specially 'created' for them (those weren't around either), and many eat these in front of the TV.
I may have started a mini revolution in schools - but if I could do the same in people's homes for family meals, reintroducing the principles of good food, good eating, fellowship and tasty, practical recipes, I would be a very happy woman.
What the Government deemed 'best value' in school dinners really meant the cheapest. Packet mixes, pre-cut and pre-packed vegetables and frozen free-flow meat became the norm. We dinner ladies became demoralised and deskilled.
My chance came in April 2000 when the Government passed legislation allowing primary schools to run their catering services themselves.
Originally my intention was to provide good fresh food for the children. I had no idea that the quest would involve me in contributing substantially to the local economy (by sourcing local produce), and in the organic movement via the Soil Association. Now, in my book The Dinner Lady, I hope to offer good sound advice about cooking at home and school, and make the whole thing enjoyable. Most importantly, all the recipes have been tried, tested and approved by that most notoriously difficult group of all - the children.
* The Dinner Lady by Jeanette Orrey (16.99, Bantam Press).
