A chef who has cooked for the Queen and Elton John is bringing his culinary skills to Ongar in a bid to help disadvantaged families.

Russell Door has swapped cooking celebrity’s dinners for teaching children with learning difficulties how to create their own dishes.

He also runs free weekly cooking classes for vulnerable and disadvantaged families across the district with the aim of teaching parents how to feed their children healthy meals on a budget.

“No child should go hungry in Essex,” the former catering agency chef said.

“Poverty is on our doorstep and it is heart-breaking that people here need to use foodbanks.

“I want to show these children how to cook good food and that everyone is good at something, and then show their parents how they can make these healthy meals on a low budget.”

Peter Bentley, executive chef at The Crown in Brentwood, has been providing the food at the charitable cooking classes held in The Zinc Arts Centre, Ongar.

He also has experience with celebrity dining and is volunteering his spare time to help the project.

The pair aim to mirror the success of The Wiggly Worm, a charity based in Gloucestershire that uses the preparation and sharing of food to help people with their mental and physical health.

Mr Door uses locally sourced products and supplies for the project, including an Ongar butcher and coffee from East London.

So far he has taught the children how to cook curry, wraps, and sweet and sour chicken.

He said: “I’ve cooked food for the Queen, and baked beans for people who have had strokes.

“I have dyslexia and no formal qualifications but I haven’t let that stop me from achieving my goals and I really want to make a positive difference to people’s lives.”

Mr Door and Mr Bentley continue to plan fundraisers and hope to open a pop-up street restaurant at the Brentwood Festival in July.

For more information on how to get involved contact The Zinc Arts Centre, Ongar on 01277 365 626.