A weekly newspaper reporter took a trip down memory lane when she tested out the dinners served at a local primary school.

Enfield Independent reporter Hermione Wright visited Chase Side Primary School which is now cooking meals for the first time in its history after a new kitchen and dining room were built.

Previously the school was serving meals cooked at Enfield County Secondary School, which was more than a mile away, so Hermione went along to try the new meals for herself.

In an article for the paper, she admits she was the thought of eating school dinners again had filled her with dread – but she was impressed by the quality of the food now being served.

She wrote: “Sorry Jamie, but I’m very much part of the Turkey Twizzler generation. Although I’m not proud to admit it, when I was at school the questionable twisted ‘meat’ would fill my school dinner plate at least once a week.

“Insipid coconut sponge dressed in gloopy ‘custard’ is another food no-no I’ve tried my very best to forget.

“So, when I was asked to take a trip back to my childhood this afternoon and trial the new school dinners on offer at Chase Side Primary School in Trinity Street, you may not be surprised to hear – the idea did not exactly whet my appetite.

“For the first time in its 100-year history, hot meals are being cooked at the school thanks to an all-new kitchen and dining room. Up until last month, food was delivered to hungry children’s plates from Enfield County Secondary School, more than a mile away in Chapel Street.

“As I queued up with the Year 1s, I eyed up the options. Puff parcels filled with spinach and ricotta, chicken sausages, baked potatoes, or aubergine ragout with mash (no lumps) and peas. A rather sophisticated side salad was also on offer, boasting kidney beans, purple cabbage, feta cheese and an assortment of salad vegetables that I can’t even fit into my word-count.

“What’s more, when it came to dessert, there was not a tasteless sponge in sight, but fresh fruit, yoghurt, and even cheese and crackers.

“More than anything, I would like to ‘do a Greg Wallace’ and dismiss my free lunch as nothing but another school lunch students have to stomach. But I can’t – it was just far too tasty. The food was fresh, filling, and what’s more – it was healthy.”

Hermione also interviewed pupils at the school who said they were also enjoying the new lunches being served up.