Youth footballers attempt making curry at cook-off

Joseph, 13, who was part of the group, said it was an experience to remember

A group of young footballers have taken part in a cook-off contest where they learnt how to make Indian food with fresh ingredients.

The head chef at The Mogul Restaurant in Manningtree, Essex, surrendered his kitchen to the seven teenagers from Lawford Football Club.

Minnar Miah said: "These days youngsters go out and eat all of the fatty food - they need to learn a good curry and good tasty rice to enjoy themselves."

The owner is organising events to raise awareness for the Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, and its Cancer Wellbeing Fund.

The restaurant is hosting an auction in aid of the charity in January.

Mr Miah, whose father died of cancer when he was young, said he wanted to introduce young people to cooking healthy food and to steer them away from takeout grub.

The restaurant is one of the football club's sponsors.

Minner Miah said he first learnt how to cook when he was 17

One of the footballers, Sid, 13, said he had been practising cooking Indian dishes with his mum at home ahead of the competition.

The boys cooked three dishes: lamb korai, chicken bhuna and chicken tikka pathia.

Joseph, also 13, said: "It was very fun to learn because I haven't cooked much in the past except from at school.

"It's an experience to remember."

Dan Bailey, senior fundraising manager with Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, said: "We are delighted with this kind show of support from Ben and Minar.

"It underlines the valuable role that businesses and organisations play in making a vital difference to health in their local community."