Tom Kerridge's Fresh Start

It’s time for step four, and Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge shifts the focus on to the health of his eight Fresh Start families. Using his recipes as inspiration, Tom wants to get his families eating more fruit and vegetables every day.

Tom’s brother Sam and his family arrive for lunch, and they road-test his tasty veg-packed Spicy Beef Lettuce Cups. Tom stages a family cook-off and explains the key to a delicious stir fry is to prep all the ingredients in advance, as the cooking part only takes a couple of minutes. His final stir fry tip is to present and serve the meal inside lettuce cups, to maximise everyone’s intake of veggies.

Meanwhile the sporty Clarke family from Marlow look healthy on the outside, but worry that their reliance on eating out and convenience food isn’t doing them any good on the inside. Kerry, 53, has been treated for breast cancer, and is hoping that eating Tom’s recipes rather than processed foods will give her the vitamins her immune system needs to keep her healthy and strong.

Kerry’s husband, 53 year-old Chris, wants to cook fresh meals but finds the process of learning to cook frustrating. With Tom’s help, together they cook Gremolata Fish with Posh Tartare Sauce, a healthy version of fish and chips. The chef wants to prove to Chris that if you put in a bit of practice, you really can cook fantastic, tasty and healthy meals - and have fun doing it.

The perfect pudding after fish and chips has to be ice cream, and Tom’s Banana Choc-Ices are a healthy and easy-to-make alternative to shop-bought ice creams. Tom whizzes bananas, yogurt and vanilla extract in a blender before pouring into ice cream moulds to set in the freezer. Finally he coats them in melted coconut oil and chocolate and sprinkles them with a selection of delicious toppings. Using bananas in these choc-ices is a clever way to boost fruit intake.

Tom also visits the Loveday family (pictured) at their home in Aylesbury. The busy family of four struggle to eat healthy meals because meat-loving dad Tim doesn’t like fruit and vegetables. Tom helps 40 year-old Tim and 36 year-old wife Claire cook his speciality Russian Salad, as well as teaching the family how to roast root vegetables for a natural sweet caramelised flavour. Tom also drops a bombshell on Tim, challenging him to eat vegetarian meals for a whole week.

All eight of Tom’s Fresh Start families keep track of their fruit and vegetable intake, and Tom provides plenty of veg-packed recipes including his Italian Style Tuna and Fennel Wraps. It’s a perfect packed lunch for work or school and a nutritious alternative to a classic tuna mayo sandwich.

During this healthy eating experiment, Tom discovers that thanks to his recipes and encouragement, the group have more than doubled the amount of fruit and veg they’re eating, and meat-lover Tim successfully completes his vegetarian challenge, much to his own and wife Claire’s amazement.

Publicity contact: CT and MF