The GUV'NOR Paul Clerehugh

I became a "dinner lady" two years ago when I was emotionally blackmailed by my village school, forcing me to witness the only three kids brave enough to eat the crap sent by the county council.

My first stint at a local

comprehensive was an eye-opener - schools do chips to stop kids going to a chippie. I've never seen a more enthusiastic Walkers rep - the flavours and point-of-display were the stuff of nightmares.

My Environmental Health Officer went ballistic - he belongs to the county council supplying the crap.

Consulting with children, guardians, governors, teachers and parents to write menus resulted in a classic case of 'too many cooks ...' Now I only consult with the head

governor, who requested local and organic produce. Two courses cost £2.25 gross and I supply meals at cost. Uptake has increased from three to 80 daily meals, prepared at the pub and collected by the school. I'd assumed my brigade could manage school-meal preparation - but for 80 kids, another chef was employed and I absorbed the cost. The following year we negotiated £3 per meal - when parents realised it would cost them less than beer or fags most of them thought it was OK. School meals revenue doesn't help my food GP but its turnover benefits my

labour GP.

Thanks to Jamie Oliver, the Government recently pledged a huge sum which equates to 6p per child. But they deduct VAT at 17.5% from dinner money, so £3 means 45p for HM Taxes and £2.55 for food.

It's clear from my recent conversations with Jamie Oliver that he is very

knowledgeable and

passionate about school meals and invests a lot of his time, energy and money.

Supporting my community by producing school meals is satisfying. The simple home-cooking offers a brilliant introduction to basic culinary techniques such as knife skills, slow-cooking and health and safety for my two kitchen apprentices.

Children benefit by

understanding that lunch begins with raw ingredients rather than a tin opener. They experience different food such as meat cuts and learn about animal welfare, food miles, organics, the environment and supporting local farms; they eat at tables, improving social skills and table manners, and they remain alert for afternoon lessons - playground accidents are rarer.

I've contributed to two websites: have a look on

www.pubisthehub.org.uk and www.jamieoliver.com, or call me on 01491 681048 to discuss school-meal catering.