A CELEBRITY CHEF has treated a care home cook to an “incredibly inspiring” training day in preparation for a food competition.

Sue Avery from The Spinney Care Home in Forest View, Chingford, met Ainsley Harriott of Ready Steady Cook fame for a cookery masterclass in London on Monday (June 27).

The chef and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant demonstrated his recipes and shared tips with Ms Avery after launching his Food Challenge, aimed at inspiring new and exciting care home food.

Mr Harriott said: “I am passionate about good food and exciting people to create wonderful meals and dishes no matter where they eat.

“It’s great to see the Spinney Care Home investing in this competition and I know that Sue will embrace the challenge ahead and produce a fabulous new menu idea for the residents.”

Ms Avery will present her menu idea at a community event in Spinney Care Home in early October.

She added: “This was such an exciting opportunity and Ainsley has been incredibly inspiring today.

“Learning from him has given me many ideas to take back to The Spinney and develop into our winning idea.”

If her menu is shortlisted, Mr Harriott will visit the Chingford care home on October 20 and present her with a prize.

She added: “Ainsley’s Three Cup Chicken dish is something I am certain to cook for our residents and his Caribbean Bouillabaisse was a real treat.

“We really hope to be shortlisted so we can welcome Ainsley to The Spinney in October.”