GLASGOW’s master chef has said learning basic cooking skills will help prevent the city’s kids going hungry through the summer holidays.

Gary Maclean was at Dalmarnock Primary School in Bridgeton to show families how children and their parents can prepare healthy and affordable meals in the kitchen.

The demonstration was part of an initiative which aims to educate people on healthy eating and recipes.

And, with over 2,000 kids expected to receive food parcels from food banks across Glasgow, it’s a programme father-of-five Maclean said is vital to help families on tight budgets.

“It’s horrible to think there are kids going hungry during the school holidays,” said Maclean.

“I’m a family man and I can empathise with parents who want the best for their kids when it comes to food.

“This programme aims to help families learn more about home cooking and the benefits of preparing meals with fresh produce.

“To think children are looking forward to going back to school because they are hungry is horrifying to me.

“Programmes like this need to happening everywhere in Glasgow.

“It’s all about changing the routines people are used to and getting in to the habit of preparing and cooking from fresh and healthy produce.

“People need to stop looking at cooking as a chore and look at it as a part of a healthy family life.”

“Cooking meals full of nutrition is also affordable as well.

“For example, a portion of carrot and coriander soup will cost a family 20p and for families on tight budgets – it needs to be stressed that providing healthy meals is much cheaper than buying in processed foods.”

The £500,000 summer holiday initiative, funded by Brakes Scotland, called Meals & More provides holiday clubs for school kids and their parents – teaching them to prepare food as well as take part in activities and day trips.

At the event yesterday families at Dalmarnock primary school prepared carrot and coriander soup and shepherd’s pie.

Councillor Chris Cunningham, the convener of education, skills and early years, said: “School holidays are a joy for children but can increase pressure on families experiencing food poverty.

“This worthy project is helping, in some small way, to reduce some of that stress for Glasgow families as wellas boosting parents’ confidence in the kitchen.”