A SCHOOL cook will spend the day helping to prepare meals for the lunchtime diners at a fining dining restaurant.

Dawn Davis, the cook supervisor at Longridge Primary School, will cook alongside haute cuisine chef Gerald van der Walt, at Rogan & Co restaurant, in Cartmel.

Rogan & Co is owned by internationally renowned chef Simon Rogan, together with his two Michelin star L’Enclume restaurant nearby.

Dawn Davis, who works at the Barnacre Road school, will demonstrate her skills on Friday.

The opportunity forms part of this year’s Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA) National School Meals Week ‘Host a School Chef’ programme, which runs from Monday November 13 to 17.

Now in its fourth year, the scheme offers school cooks the chance to spend a day working with some of the most talented chefs in the catering industry, in some of the most famous restaurants in the country.

National School Meals Week celebrates the importance of school meals, and the importance of children being provided with a hot and nutritious lunch.

County Cllr Susie Charles, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Dawn. It is a great chance for her to improve her own skills, and share the knowledge she gains with her colleagues at school.

“I hope that Dawn benefits as much as possible from this fabulous experience and thoroughly enjoys the day.”

Cook Dawn Davis, said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the high quality chef at Rogan & Co. I’ll also get the chance to visit L’Enclume. This really is a tremendous opportunity for me to learn from the best.

“I’ll be incredibly proud to pass on what I learn to my colleagues to help them.”

The owner of Rogan & Co, Simon Rogan, said: “We are delighted to be hosting a school chef at Rogan & Co for National School Meals Week. Healthy meals in schools are so important to a child’s wellbeing and we are proud to play a small part in this wonderful event.”

Dawn will also visit L’Enclume, which is owned by Simon Rogan and his partner, Penny Tapsell, and has two Michelin stars and five AA Rosettes.

The itinerary for the day also includes a tour of Our Farm, which supplies the majority of fresh ingredients for Simon’s restaurants.

More information about the participation of the Schools Catering Service in this initiative is available from Alison Ashton, skills and standards trainer, by calling 01772 539923, or by emailing alison.ashton@lancashire.gov.uk.

More information about the national scheme is available at www.nsmw.org.uk.