A MICHELIN trained chef is cooking up a storm with meals on wheels for the town’s vulnerable people during the lock-down.

District councillor – and dark horse – Chris Jenks was trained under world class chef, Michael Caines, at the renowned Gidleigh Park before entering local politics.

During his culinary career, Chris has cooked for members of the royal family and a host of famous names such as Sir Ian McKellen, while working as a private chef in Switzerland.

Chef Chris has teamed up with his father, Newton Abbot mayor, Richard Jenks, to rustle-up dishes with a difference to people using Homeless in Teignbridge Support (HITS) food bank.

The Newton Abbot Hot Food project is an initiative from Teignbridge CVS, HITS Foodbank and the Avenue Church.

Chef Chris has offered assurances that he will be taking no nonsense in the kitchen, opting for a Gordon Ramsey approach to whip his father’s cooking into shape.

Chris said: ‘The mayor is a good commis chef, although his seasoning skills need a bit of work.’

Chris added: ‘This is a great scheme to help vulnerable people going forward and it’s great to see such a well organised community effort.’

Chef Chris still caters for weddings and events at The Great Barn in the Teign Valley in addition to cooking for wellness and fitness boot camps in Portugal and Wales as part of his studies to become a nutritionist.

The scheme was initially trialled in Teignmouth, but due to a call for volunteers receiving a massive response, the scheme has now been rolled out in Newton Abbot.

Hot meals will be delivered out into the community two nights per week.

A team of drivers will ensure that decent grub is delivered to doorsteps, and nobody is left without home cooked meals during the restrictions.