Organisers of food education classes in Epping Forest are hoping to run more in the summer after being delighted with the level of interest since the new scheme was launched.

Emergency food agency 3Food4U is hosting the classes which are funded by Active Essex & Essex County Council and supported by Find Your Active - West Essex.

3Food4U's chair of trustees Pesh Kapasiawala said: "Huge thanks to our fantastic chef, Jenn Igbeta, for making the course so accessible and enjoyable. They're on in Waltham Abbey, Ongar, Chigwell Row and Loughton. Our students were given food to take home and try. We can't wait to see what she's got planned for us for the coming weeks.

Epping Forest Guardian: Jenn with student

"Our classes are over subscribed and full, but there are limited spaces available at Chigwell Row. We're hoping to run the classes again in the summer.

Marlene, who attended in Waltham Abbey, said "Hi, I learnt so so much. I don't eat rice, pasta or spaghetti because it just seems so wrong to eat water and flour which is glue. Today a 61-year-old learnt and realised that the right rice can be nutritional with the finely chopped veg.

"Wow five of your seven a day which is the best because single people don't want to have four pans on the go and all that washing up…thank you so much for opening an envelope of knowledge and demos which I truly know will educate me..xx. THANK YOU."

Julie, another attendee, said "Thank you for the recipes, considering you didn't use salt in the egg fried rice it was full of flavour."

Epping Forest Guardian: Student

3Food4U chef and volunteer Jenn Igbeta said: "It's been so exciting delivering these classes and sharing my practical experience of over 25 years."

The charity has a fundraising page at https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20356308.

The community surplus hubs are open as follows:

  • Monday: Waltham Abbey - 13 Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Tuesday: Loughton - Loughton Club, 8 Station Road - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Wednesday: Chigwell Row - All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road - 5pm to 6.30pm
  • Thursday: Ongar - Zinc Arts Centre, High Street - 1pm to 2.30pm
  • Friday: Waltham Abbey - 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm

For further details, visit 3food4u.org, email info.3food4u@gmail.com or call 01992 842642.