Mr Marquart is the co-owner of the popular Japanese cuisine-inspired Izakaya restaurant in Castle Street in Liverpool city centre and is now providing meals for schoolchildren in Cheshire

Liverpool-based chef and restaurateur Harry Marquart is now ‘doing a Jamie Oliver’ and looking to help schoolchildren in the North West eat healthier.

Mr Marquart is the co-owner of Japanese cuisine-inspired Izakaya restaurant in Castle Street in Liverpool city centre. it is a venture already well-regarded by Liverpool diners.

Now he has been approached by the North West Academies Group in Cheshire seeking help to run a school dinners service in the region.

“We’d received a lot of praise around Izakaya’s opening and highlighted the emphasis in our menus and marketing on how keen we were to help improve the region’s record on health through the Japanese style of eating,” said Mr Marquart.

“We were then delighted to be approached to demonstrate our expertise and have the opportunity of making an impact within the education sector. 

“We were offered an initial budget to feed pupils a two-course lunch and through the help of local suppliers wanting the help to back the project, the service has been an unparalleled success.

“The pupils are now eating locally sourced produce of high quality and all the positive feedback has led to some great referrals for the business.”

Marquart’s School Catering already has a busy 2018 itinerary lined up with further contracts to serve healthy meals at a variety of schools across the North West.

Its schedule includes a catered evening alongside its contact at the Football Association, nutritionist James Morehen, sushi masterclasses with Izakaya’s head chef, Chinese New Year celebrations, Back to School Dinners and summer BBQs.