Savvy shopper and cookbook sensation Lorna Cooper is sharing her culinary skills with Buddies as she launches a new cookery class.
The Paisley author - who has released three popular books to help people cook meals on a budget - will host three classes per week at the Tannahill Centre.
Lorna, who has become an expert in bulking out meals to make hearty dinners for all the family, is looking forward to demonstrating her recipes to locals at a time when the cost of food is soaring.
She told the Express: “I think it is important to help people who lack cooking confidence to build that up.
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“I also know lots of people know how to cook but they don’t necessarily know how to do it on a budget so we will be working on stretching the meat and cooking sauces from scratch.
“The classes are going to run for the next four weeks and I will be teaching a variety of different things.
“I have four different classes and will be guided by what the members want to cook.
“This week we will be cooking lasagne in one class - bulked out with lentils and grated veg, caramelised onion and sausage casserole in another and chicken fried rice with the youth group.”
Lorna is the founder of the Feed Your Family Facebook page where she shares her tips and tricks to make the weekly food shop stretch to as many meals as possible.
The 46 year old set up the page nine years ago when her a back injury forced her to give up work and her own household budget was put under pressure.
It has since garnered a following of more than 600,000 people.
Jamie Mallan, manager of the Tannahill is thrilled to welcome Lorna back to Ferguslie for the initiative.
He told the Express: “We are delighted to have Lorna here in Ferguslie helping families navigate the cost of living crisis.
“Whilst I think it’s unfair that families are having to make these decisions, Lorna’s practical help around how to support families make their food shop go that big further whilst also reducing their energy bills is going to make a massive difference to parents and their children in Ferguslie.”
People unable to attend the classes can still benefit from Lorna’s money-saving advice by signing up to her newsletter and social media channels, where she will be sharing more recipes and meal ideas completely free of charge.
She said: “Seven years ago when I set up FYF.
“I had no idea it would grow in the way it has! I am delighted to have helped so many people to meal plan, budget and cook healthy homemade food for their families.
“With the current cost-of-living crisis budgeting, saving money and meal planning have never been more important.
“We have decided to create weekly evening meal plans for around £20 a week which we will share with you using our newsletter. These will include shopping lists and recipe cards.
“I will also be cooking the recipes and creating videos across all socials so make sure you follow the channels.”
The cooking classes take place at 9.30am on a Monday and 9.30am and 1.30pm on a Wednesday for the next four weeks.
For more information phone the Tannahill Centre on 0141 280 8801.
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