PICTURES: Teenage taste of school cooking experience led to 36-year career for Heather Matheson who has retired from Resolis Primary School
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AFTER cooking countless school meals over a 36-year career, Heather Matheson is hanging up her apron.
Mrs Matheson (55) bowed out at Resolis Primary School last Friday after overseeing her final meal for the hungry youngsters.
She is taking early retirement to allow her more time looking after her parents Gordon and Elsie who are in their eighties.
Despite her lengthy and successful cooking career, Mrs Matheson, who lives with husband Derick in Culbokie, was never professionally trained, but owes her first taste of work after Fortrose Academy to the old Youth Opportunity Scheme designed to help 16 to 17-year-olds into employment.
It was introduced in 1978 by the Labour government of James Callaghan, expanded in 1980 by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government, and ran until 1983 when it was replaced by the Youth Training Scheme.
Mrs Matheson said: "I was a Yopper first with the school cooking class and then at Tulloch Castle and the Education Centre, both in Dingwall. My first proper job was at Poyntzfield House Hotel and restaurant, but that was only for a few months.
"I then got taken on at Cullicudden Primary as an assistant. Due to kitchen staff leaving I was asked if I could do the cooking for Cullicuddin and Culbokie, and it turned out I could even though I was only 19! I then became cook at the brand new Resolis Primary that replaced Cullicudden and Newhall schools.
"Children's food tastes haven't really changed much over the years, and they generally all love stuff such as my hot dogs made with real sausages, burgers and fish and chips.
"There are more than 60 youngsters at Resolis but only one vegetarian at the moment. School meals here are good quality with good locally produced ingredients wherever possible such as meat from Munros.
"With Covid things were very different and when children returned to school hot meals were off the menu for some time and it was packed lunches."
As a mark of esteem and to mark Mrs Matheson's long service school staff and pupils presented her with a charm bracelet and flowers. Highland Council also sent flowers and told Mrs Matheson a long service award was in the pipeline.
"I was working right up until my presentation," said Mrs Matheson. "I had an idea they might do something but it was still a very pleasant surprise. I will miss them all, but I will have more time for our new dog Brachan a 14-month-old cavalier King Charles spaniel."
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