Young people at a pupil referral centre in Christchurch are to benefit from a cookery course thanks to the generosity of local guest house owners.

Yas Maybank from the Grosvenor House and Angie Barnicoat from Druid House were so impressed with the work of the Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust (CFFET) with young people, that they decided to devote the entire proceeds of their 2009 Food Festival Market charity stall to supporting the Trust.

They asked the Trust to arrange a course for pupils who could particularly benefit from small-group tuition by an inspirational young chef.

Yas and Angie’s market stall this year sold freshly made bacon sandwiches and other delicacies, washed down with wine or soft drinks, and raised a remarkable £1,060 - thanks to their efforts and those of other volunteers including Angie’s son Lee.

Yas, Angie and Lee were delighted to hand over the money to CFFET Trustee Mary Reader in the presence of Food Technology teacher Sue Bassett, who works at the local pupil referral centre where the sponsored course is planned to take place. Celebrated young chef Jamie Fanger from the Crooked Beam restaurant will carry out the course in September.

Yas explained: “Through our own contacts with a range of young people, we have seen just how valuable these types of courses can be. They are practical, enjoyable and purposeful - and in some cases have clearly proved inspirational in helping a pupil decide to take further courses with a view to a career in catering. We are delighted to be able to fund further courses of this type.”

CFFET Trustee Mary Reader who is also the Founder and President of the Christchurch Food Festival commented, “Yas, Angie and their families worked so hard to earn this money and have always shown dedicated support not only for the Festival but for the cookery courses that we are running for the those most in need in the community. Without people like them the work of the Trust could not continue.”