A leading food writer and TV presenter today supported the Shropshire Star’s Credit Munch campaign and said food did not have to be expensive to be good.

Food stylist and writer Silvana Franco, who was born and raised in Derby as part of a large Italian family, said she supported the newspaper’s drive to encourage more people to eat fresh, local produce.

Credit Munch was launched in March so that more people will try cooking tasty food at home.

Shropshire’s best chefs are providing recipes every week over a two-month period, so that people can learn how to create tasty food on a budget.

It has already won the support of chefs including Raymond Blanc, Ainsley Harriott and Delia Smith.

The recipes appear in the Shropshire Star’s Weekend Supplement each Saturday.

Today Silvana said she supported the campaign. She said: “Great food is all about using fresh and where possible seasonal ingredients, with strong flavours. It doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. People have been tightening their belts because of the recession. But that doesn’t mean they have to eat poor quality food.”

Silvana made her name working for shows like Can’t Cook Won’t Cook.

She added: “Some people are afraid to cook at home and just revert to ready meals or easy food. But cooking can be great fun and Credit Munch seems to be encouraging people to give cooking a try.”

l E-mail your own recipe ideas to arichardson@shropshirestar.co.uk or post them to Andy Richardson, Credit Munch, Shropshire Star, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU. We’ll feature the best online at www.shropshirestar.com