Well-known chef and television presenter Paul West is passing on some of his skills and knowledge in a cooking workshop at the Tamworth Regional Youth Centre today.
Mr West, who has also worked across all areas of food production, hosted the popular television program A River Cottage Australia.
His students in the kitchen today will be members of Tamworth Regional Youth Council.
The workshops are the first steps towards the youth council's project to open a community café by the end of October at the Tamworth Regional Youth Centre at West Tamworth. They will undertake further accredited training in the coming weeks before the café opens.
The youth council plans to run the café one day each month and offer a takeaway service.
Tamworth Regional Council Co-ordinator Volunteer Services, Veronica Filby, said members of the Tamworth Regional Youth Council will initially run the café after they complete a safe food handling course.
"This project will allow young people to learn and use hospitality skills which can help them get a job in the future."
"While youth council members will be the first group of trained volunteers, we will eventually open this opportunity to young people who attend The Youthie program."
The café project is funded by a NSW Government Youth Opportunities grant. Council received a total of $48,000 to be used for programs aiming to help young people build confidence, skills and get involved in the community.
All funds collected from the café will go towards supporting future youth council initiatives.
Tamworth Regional Youth Council members have identified youth employment as a priority area where they want to make a positive difference.
