A HEALTHY eating champion has created a pop-up cafe for residents in East Oxford.

Stella Bell, who runs two weight loss classes at Florence Park Community Centre, decided to share her knowledge of low calorie recipes with the non-Weight Watchers locals to show them that healthy food does not have to be all about lettuce.

A trial pop-up café called ‘What’s the point?’ ran at the centre on July 22 and provided a variety of low-fat meals from turkey burgers and vegetarian moussaka to a healthy chocolate cake made with black beans, that were also pointed for those following the Weight Watchers’ plan.

People came in from as far afield as Didcot and Abingdon to join locals from Florence Park to taste the home-cooked recipes she dished out.

Ms Bell, who has lost 45lbs herself following the Weight Watchers programme, said: “I have always loved cooking and being adventurous in the kitchen and this was an opportunity to do something I love. Many of the members in my groups don’t really make their own food and are not so adventurous when it comes to the kitchen.

“This was an opportunity for them to try out some of the foods that wouldn’t normally be included in their recipes at home.”

As this was was just a trial, all the proceeds from the endeavour went to the community centre - raising an impressive £200.

Following the success, Ms Bell is planning to run short courses on quick recipes that are simple, healthy and reasonably priced, as well as hatching plans for a more regular pop-up cafe, where people will pre-book and select their dinner beforehand.

She said: “I live in the friendliest community and community is so important to me. I really feel like I need to give something back. With my weight loss classes and a cafe that raises awareness of healthy eating while raising funds for the community, I’m doing my bit.”

Centre manager Sara Reevell said the cafe had proved a ‘great addition’ to the community centre’s calendar, adding: “We are lucky to live in a community that supports its community centre, as it is only through such support and brilliant fundraising events like this that we can continue. The money raised from Stella’s cafe are greatly appreciated and will be used to facilitate future events and group activities.”

Visit florenceparkcommunitycentre.org.uk