Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food centre in Bradford has been hailed a success as cooking classes are full until Easter.

The first lessons began last month at the Bradford Council-run centre in John Street and until April there are now ten classes a week.

Pupils range in age from children as young as eight, through to grandparents of 86 – and they are having a go at everything from simple activities such as chopping carrots to cooking up a curry from scratch.

So far, a total of 214 dishes have been prepared at the popular centre so people can learn to cook on a budget using fresh ingredients.

This weekend, to mark Chinese New Year, chicken chow mein and Thai green curry are on the menu.

Centre manager Soraya Overend, said: “On average, 85 people a week are benefiting from the centre. For only £4 a week, people can cook and take home a meal for four with most of the ingredients bought in the Oastler Centre.”

Participants take part in a ten-week course to learn how to cook a range of healthy recipes and are also taught about nutrition, hygiene and shopping on a budget.

It is hoped TV chef Mr Oliver will visit both Bradford and the Rotherham Ministry of Food centres this year.

The Council and Local Government Yorkshire and Humber have funded the project, and businesses in the area have also supported it.

Mrs Overend added: “We would welcome inquiries from businesses interested in booking a team-building session or any businesses interested in funding under-privileged groups who have no budget to pay for the classes.”

Any businesses interested in supporting the centre should contact Mrs Overend on (01274) 435279.

The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm unless staff and volunteers are out cooking in the community. There is also an evening class on Tuesdays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.