A MASTERCHEF champion cooked up a storm with parents and pupils at St Columba's High.

Scotland's first ever 'national chef' Gary MacLean visited the school to celebrate the success of a project bringing families together in the kitchen.

New teacher Lynsey Mitchell shares a passion with Gary for food and encouraging children to get involved.

Her new Cook School at St Columba's has been hailed as a way of using food to keep youngsters on a healthy path.

Masterchef Gary said: "It was a home economics teacher who inspired me and changed my life.

"I can see the same passion in Lynsey and I am delighted to be here to support the Cook School.

"I took on the role of national chef with one priority, to inspire children to cook." At the special cooking class Gary spilled the secrets of his mouthwatering sausage risotto.

Third year pupil Mhairi Montgomery and her mum Janice Nugent looked on as he worked his magic.

Mhairi, 13, said: "It is amazing to meet Gary. I love being part of the cook school and I've learned so much."

Mum Janice added: "It has been great taking part in the club.

"The kids all cooked us a Christmas meal."

The aim of Cook School is to help families to develop a healthy relationship with food by preparing tasty meals together.

Home economics teacher Lynsey uses her after-school club to help develop a taste for nutritious food and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers in the future.

The Cook School project originally started with just three pupils but by the end of the seven week block, nine pupils cooked for their parents at the school’s festive dinner event.

She said: "This is my passion, this is why I became a teacher, to inspire young people.

"It is a real honour to have Gary MacLean, who is one of my heroes, here at St Columba's.

"He is an inspiration."