KEEN young cooks took up their wooden spoons and rolling pins to enjoy an afternoon of cookery at Residence in Nantwich.

More than 40 children aged four to 12 years-old turned out in force to the first in a series of fun cookery workshops at the Mill Street venue.

While parents enjoyed a 10% discount off food downstairs, youngsters rolled up their sleeves and got on with making biscuits in the upstairs function room.

Restaurant owner Ben Rafferty, a father-of-two, is hosting the sessions in a bid to help children develop a healthy relationship with food and an interest in making recipes from scratch.

The venue has previously hosted Come Dine with Me style events and offered a children’s activity marquee during the Nantwich Food and Drink Festival in September.

Now in partnership with South Cheshire business, KidzKitchen, Residence will host further children’s cookery workshops over coming months.

Mr Rafferty said: “The first event was a big success. It gave parents some time to themselves safe in the knowledge their children were being cared for and learning while having fun.”

KidzKitchen, led by local mums Tracey Cooke and Gill Fox, were winners of the Best Start Up category in November’s South Cheshire Chamber Business awards – an award Residence carried off in 2009.

Both passionate about cooking, they teamed up last spring to pass on their culinary skills at workshops in schools, play centres and public venues.

Mr Rafferty added: “With so much emphasis on obesity nowadays, food is so often demonised while we all know we just need to eat the right type of food.

“Like Tracey and Gill, we would like local children to learn that this doesn’t necessarily come out of a box in the supermarket and creating your own meals can be fun.”

The next event will be on February 23. Sessions start at 2 and 4pm. The cost is £5 per child, with all equipment including spoons, bowls, rolling pins and aprons provided.

For more information call Residence on 01270 629100.