New Tuckshop Ambassador spreads the healthy sandwich message

Hold on to your lunchboxes – Australia’s best sandwich maker and former My Kitchen Rules contestant Mal Gill has been named Queensland’s new school Tuckshop Ambassador.

Mal joined Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek and Member for Greenslopes Ian Kaye today for a sandwich-making showdown at Coorparoo State School.

“It’s great to have Mal on board – he’ll be spreading the message about how to prepare appetising and healthy options at school tuckshops for our kids,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Mal will be joining celebrity chef Alison Taafe for some ‘Sandwich Safari’ sessions and live cooking demonstrations with tuckshop staff and volunteers from across the state.

“A balanced diet is vital for children to learn and grow and it’s important that we teach them good eating habits by the example we set in our tuckshops.”

The Queensland Government’s Smart Choices policy is based on contemporary nutritional advice and promotes access to a wide variety of healthy foods in school tuckshops, such as vegetables, salads, lean meats and wholegrains.

Brisbane café owner Mal Gill won the Australasian Sandwich Association’s best sandwich prize at September’s Sydney Fine Food Show and said he was excited to be working with Queensland’s tuckshop volunteers and staff.

“It’s not just about tomato and lettuce anymore, there are so many options available which kids will love,” Mr Gill said.

“Sometimes all you need is a point in the right direction and I’m really keen to be involved in supporting the Government and tuckshops across Queensland as the Tuckshop Ambassador.”

The sandwich showdown also featured the inaugural winner of the 2013 Queensland Tuckshop Sandwich Designer of the Year competition, Cassandre Fleming, and was judged by 2014 Queensland Rhodes Scholar Andrew Barnes, a graduate of Coorparoo State School.

Minister Langbroek encouraged tuckshop staff and volunteers to consider entering the 2014 Queensland Tuckshop Sandwich Designer of the Year competition, which is promoting tasty, healthy and innovative lunches for school children.

To register for the Smart Choices Masterclasses in Cairns on 18 August and in Brisbane on 20 October, or to enter the Queensland Tuckshop Sandwich Designer of the Year which closes on 22 August, visit the announcements section of the website http://education.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 24 July 2014

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652