A WORLD-FAMOUS chef has launched plans for a North Yorkshire training bakery staffed by soldiers to help support vulnerable veterans of war.

Michelin-starred celebrity chef Marco Pierre White attended the launch of the Veterans Artisan Bakery which will offer a training bakery, kitchen and coffee point when it is built at Catterick Garrison.

The bakery will help ex-servicemen potentially at risk of homelessness and mental health problems to retrain and find future employment.

Speaking at the launch event, which was held at Harewood House, Marco said: “I feel passionate about the morality and value of working hard and the stabiliser of routine to help ground people. And there’s nothing more beautiful and honest than making a decent loaf of bread or good espresso. This bakery is a way to bring people together and work for a common cause. The veterans deserve this opportunity – I know how tough it is – my visits to the front line have been truly life-changing experiences.”

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Marco’s mark

YORKSHIRE chef Marco Pierre White says his visits to frontline troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have been “truly life-changing experiences”. Yesterday he demonstrated how much they affected him by launching a fundraising initiative to help ex-service personnel suffering with combat trauma to start fresh lives by training as bakers.

Many TV chefs seem to believe the hype surrounding them, but Marco, for all his bluster, has a social conscience, as his projects with troubled youths testify. He also believes we have a duty to support our soldiers and that shouldn’t stop when they come home.

We couldn’t agree more and would like to wish him every success in this latest venture.

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