LAST month Gordon Birtwistle, leader of Burnley Council, raised concerns over plans to serve “aeroplane food” to patients in Burnley.

Health bosses responded by making reassurances that the pre-cooked, frozen meals would be both nutritious and healthy.

Yesterday, a selection of the 105 dishes that could be on offer from suppliers Apetito, were served to diners as a taster for the scheme.

There was a substantial amount of evidence to prove the meals are packed full of goodness, but patients and staff were equally impressed with how it tasted.

Michael Waite, sales manager for Apetito, said the meals are frozen and stored for three days in quarantine after being cooked.

Strict health and saftey procedures are in place to ensure the food is not contaminated and information about each dish is available to dieticians.

The list of 105 dishes available to order for the hospital includes 30 vegetarian options, 40 sweets and 20 soups.

As well as being strict on health and safety, he said the company was also “passionate” about producing tasty food.

Patient Adrian Shaw, 73, of Skipton Road, Colne, was sampling the chilli with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.

He described his meal as being “up to standard.” He added: “I’ve eaten aeroplane food on more than one occasion, but this is a bit better.

“We make chilli quite a lot at home and we like it a bit more spicy but this is fine – it’s good chilli.

“I think it’s a balanced meal because the chilli is full of protein and then of course there’s the mixed vegetables as well.”

The hospital’s kitchens are in need of substantial maintenance, and are on the site of major constr-uction planned for the future.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is now consulting with staff and patients over food options at the Burnley site.

Catering manager Paul Fitzpatrick said: “The food is excellent – even better than I expected, and with the same nutritional value.

“I hope that people will agree after tasting it.”

VERDICTS

Tomato soup - Always good comfort food. This example was quite tasty and of a decent consistency, but not quite as good as the trusted Heinz variety.

Chinese Chicken - I don’t think this take on sweet and sour chicken will be gracing restaurants in Chinatown just yet, but it was certainly a notch up from aeroplane food.

Treacle Tart - One spoonful of the treacle tart and custard took me instantly back to lunchtimes at primary school. Good for both nostalgia factor and the tastebuds.