Prue Leith OBE was today named the new chair of the School Food Trust by education and skills minister Alan Johnson.

Leith, who will take up the position on 15 January, will replace the acting chair Baroness Maggie Jones.

Prue Leith, renowned for her eponymous cookery school and Michelin-starred restaurant as well as food writing and charity work, said: "This is the most important job I have ever had.

"Convincing young people, parents, teachers and caterers of the importance of good food is essential if we want our children to grow up healthy and energetic.

Leith stressed the importance of equipping pupils with practical skills and knowledge at school to help them make the right choices during the rest of their lives.

"I believe we can really change attitudes through the Trust's mission to help schools teach every pupil about food and nutrition and to give them cooking lessons," she said.

Johnson said Leith 's "business acumen, high-profile and passion about changing public attitudes towards healthy eating" made her an outstanding candidate for the role.

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By Emily Manson

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