The Dinner Lady: Change The Way Your Children Eat Forever [Hardcover]

'Jeanette Orrey is a dynamo, a true pioneer... Every school cook and parent interested in food needs this book'

'Jeanette Orrey - about to become a legend in your children's lunchtime'

A unique family cookbook full of simple, delicious and healthy recipes by the school dinner lady who is spearheading a revolution to change the way our children eat

As a highly experienced dinner lady, Jeanette has long been at the heart of Jamie Oliver's revolution to change the bad eating habits of our children both in and outside school. As part of her campaign to improve children's diets, she has written a unique family cookbook full of tasty, healthy, inexpensive and appealing recipes that are easy to make and can be enjoyed whatever age you are! She believes in simple, traditional dishes with a modern twist, made with the freshest local and - where possible - organic ingredients. All the recipes are big hits from Jeanette's kitchen and are accompanied by personal anecdotes and comments from the children at St Peter's, the school in which she worked for years as a dinner lady. They include Pasta with Peas and Bacon, Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Real Chicken Nuggets, Cowboy Stew, Toffee Cream Tart, Apple Cobbler and Muffins.

This beautifully illustrated book also tells the inspirational story of how Jeanette became Britain's most vocal campaigner for good food for our kids. It includes her advice (after years of experience)on cooking for children at home, ideas for getting (even the fussiest!) children interested in and excited by food. Also practical tips for busy parents to make life in the kitchen easier with notes on nutrition and advice for making meal times an enjoyable occasion. Plus a list of resources and suppliers.

Jeanette Orrey is the school dinner lady who is on a mission to improve the food our children eat. She believes in simple, traditional dishes with the occasional modern twist, made with the freshest local and - wherever possible - organic ingredients. Now she's written a unique family cookbook which is full of tasty, healthy and practical recipes that are easy to make and can be enjoyed whatever age you are! All the recipes are big hits from Jeanette's kitchen and include pasta with peas and bacon, meatballs in tomato sauce, real chicken nuggets, jockey club salad, crunchy veg crumble, iced apple cake, jam roly poly, scones and muffins in a multitude of flavours.

The book also tells the inspirational story of how Jeanette became Britain's most vocal campaigner for good food for our kids. In a climate of rising child obesity, of an increase in the use of preservatives and pesticides in intensively farmed food, and of constant food-related health scares, The Dinner Lady's quiet food revolution reveals how to avoid these pitfalls and how to put Jeanette's simple ideals into practice. Also included are her tips, after years of experience, on getting even the fussiest children interested in and excited by food, both at school and at home; guidance for busy parents on how to make life in the kitchen easier; notes on nutrition, organics, obesity and the hidden dangers of processed food; and how to make mealtimes a truly enjoyable occasion.

Jeanette Orrey is Catering Manager at St Peter's Primary School, East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire where she has worked for 14 years. Five years ago she brought the catering in-house, sourcing as much local, organic and fair trade produce as possible. She is School Meals Policy Advisor to the Soil Association and travels around the country encouraging other schools to implement the Food for Life targets. She has won many awards, including The Observer Food Award for 'Person who has done the most for the food & drink industry' in 2003. She lives in Nottingham with her husband, and has 3 sons. She enjoys watching Rugby Union and cooking when she has the time.