UFS Ireland has launched their Good Mood Food Activation for Schools, Colleges and Universities with the help of well-known food blogger and Ireland’s answer to Jamie Oliver, 23-year old Donal Skehan.

Unilever Foodsolutions and Donal are on a mission to show students and chefs in educational establishments just how easy it is to make food that will lift spirits, naturally boost performance and generally put students in an all-round ‘good mood’, even in times of stress.

The Unilever Foodsolutions’ culinary team initially approached Donal because of his renowned love of good, simple, healthy, home cooked foods and believed that he was the perfect ambassador for the Good Mood Food campaign. Donal helped them create five delicious and nutritious recipes that use a mix of readily-available ingredients that will appeal to even the fussiest of student palettes! The recipes range from fiery salsa chicken to pepper and courgette frittatas, which are packed with flavour and mood-enhancing goodness.

The Good Mood Food campaign is open to all secondary schools and IT colleges in Ireland who place a cross order with Unilever Food Solutions between February and April 2010. To participate, teachers and school chefs can simply request a promotional pack when they place a specific Good Mood Food order with their local Unilever Foodsolutions sales representative. The promotional pack contains a book of 12 Good Mood Food recipes with GDA’s per portion, along with colourful POS materials including posters, tray liners, struts and table toppers.

All schools and IT colleges that participate will be entered into a competition to win a Good Mood Food masterclass with Donal where students and chefs can cook with the talented young chef and learn more about the foods that can help boost mood, memory and concentration powers.

“Good Mood Foods are foods and meals that have a positive impact on those eating them. They can be dishes that help you concentrate, an energy boost before a game, stimulation for the brain or just a dish made to share and lift the mood of all. We’re excited to have Donal on board – he’s a big believer in the power of food and how it effects our lives and is the perfect advocate for the campaign, appealing to all audiences in this exciting schools activation.”