SOUTH Essex students have been busy perfecting the recipe for success.

Students from Seevic, in Thundersley, and Palmer’s College, in Grays, took part in an event which organisers hope will inspire them on their way to higher education and beyond.

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Testing - Zoe Dye and Jamie Williams

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At work - Amy Hubbard and Zoey Broadbent

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Cooking up a storm - student Zoe Dye

As part of the Future Ready event, held at Braxted Park, near Witham, the students teamed up with award winning chef, Billy Grinsted, to develop a taste for independent living.

Working in pairs, they budgeted for, shopped for and prepared two student staples – the ever-popular spag bol and curry.

Alongside the cooking and eating experience, the students learned more about finance and budgeting from the team at Future Ready, which works with further education students to help them into their chosen careers.

Organiser Natalie Freislich-Mills, from Future Ready, said: “This has been a great opportunity to work closely with the students, helping them to plan and prepare great meals on a budget so that they are more prepared for independent living once they move onto higher education.

“We are passionate about providing opportunities for further education students to learn the knowledge and skills they need to take steps towards their dream futures through the Future Ready programme and learning to budget for and prepare fantastic meals is part of that process.

“The bonus is that we’ve enjoyed a great lunch in beautiful surroundings and have a meal to take home too.”

Each student was also handed a free ‘Nosh for Students’ recipe book to equip them for eating well at university.

For more about Future Ready and the Make Happen programme, go to makehappen.org.

The event took place on Wednesday, July 3.

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Follow the recipe - Precious Daniel and Adura Algo