A cookery project in Sandwich has been awarded more than £2,000 from the NHS Canterbury and Coastal Clinical Commissioning Group.

Stephanie Hayman and Pieter Van Zyl, who run The Chequers restaurant in Deal, have recently started their Cinque Ports Community Kitchen project and have been given a helping hand in their mission to improve people’s eating habits across east Kent.

The team have been awarded £2,049 from the NHS Canterbury and Coastal CCG community fund to run a 10-week Keen2Cook project which is working from the Phoenix Centre, Jubilee Road.

The project has been providing people in the area with the chance to improve their confidence in the kitchen and cook a healthy, low-cost meal from scratch.

The Chequers restaurant is being refurbished so that the Keen2Cook classes can be held there as a permanent part of the restaurant.

Stephanie Hayman, director of Cinque Ports Community Kitchen, said: “Without funding from the CCG it wouldn’t have been possible to run the course in Sandwich.

“From vegetable curry and courgette muffins, to fish cakes and soups, the group have learnt how to cook a range of tasty meals in a fun and relaxed environment.

“Our fully equipped cookery school will soon be opening at the Chequers restaurant and we look forward to continuing to teach people to cook healthy and nutritious meals.”

Claire Boraston, head of commissioning at NHS Canterbury and Coastal CCG, said: “I’m thrilled that we have been able to fund such a worthwhile project.

“Keen2Cook provides a safe and friendly environment for people to practise their cooking skills and learn about the importance of a balanced diet. In turn this supports our CCG’s ambition to help people lead happy, long and healthy lives.”

For more information search Keen2Cook on Facebook or visit the website at www.chequersrestaurant.com

For the full story read this week's East Kent Mercury.