A COOK has been applauded for dishing out school meals to Didcot children for 25 years.

Sue Dodd, 55, has cooked for Lydalls Nursery School for 15 years and has been honoured for making an outstanding contribution by the Oxfordshire Local Education Authority.

And, earlier this month, the chef was given a five-star environmental health award.

She cooks one set menu every day for about 40 children and staff every day and headteacher Claire White said she was an “asset” to the school.

Mrs White said: “She encourages the children to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and has developed lots of good eating habits in our children.

“She is a brilliant cook. All of our children have school dinners, and they all love her. She is a big part of their lives.

“And she always works so hard. School dinners have a reputation for being awful but hers are so good. I cannot fault her.”

But Mrs Dodd admitted her dinners have not always been so healthy.

She said: “We were doing very good meals when I first started, such as liver and bacon. But that went away and things like Turkey Twizzlers and chicken nuggets came in.

“It was because they privatised school kitchens – good food started to go.”

She believes it was pressure from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver that put fresh fruit and veg back on the menu.

She said: “It takes a while for them to get adapted to the healthy food, but by the end of the term they are eating it.“ Parents even ask her for recipes as they cannot get their children to eat fruit and vegetables at home.

She said: “It is very important for the children to eat well – especially at dinner time as it gives them more energy. If they have a dodgy meal they feel it for the rest of the afternoon and do not want to do anything.

“And being a nursery school it is a good start before they start at primary school.

“It is a real satisfaction to see the children tucking in and it is nice when parents come up and ask for the recipe. It is great to know you have done a bit of good.”

The cook worked at Greenmere Primary School for 10 years before moving to Lydalls Nursery School.

She added: “Some of the children I was looking after are bringing their children in here now.”

Mrs Dodd hopes to stay in the job until she retires.