Groups of Forest Gate students had their first experience of healthy but tasty chicken in a pilot launched in the area.

The Box Chicken is a project that aims to encourage young people to swap greasy fried chicken with tasty, healthy meals. It will run until October 18.

On Monday the Box Chicken van was parked at the junction of Woodgrange Road with Sebert Road Market Place, opposite Forest Gate Station at lunchtime and after school.

It was and will be in easy reach of students from four nearby schools – St Angela’s Ursuline School, St Bonaventure’s School, Stratford Academy and Forest Gate Community School.

Fidelma Boyd, deputy headteacher at St Angela’s Ursuline School, who tasted the food said: “It was absolutely wonderful, spicy and full of flavour. The students were absolutely bowled over by it. Their main reaction was one of surprise that healthy food could taste that good.”

Cristina Pop, head girl at the school, said: “I think the food from Box Chicken is tasty, really good value and surprisingly filling. Some students have been very surprised to find that they enjoy such ingredients as coriander and olives- and I think it’s really good that their tastes are being challenged.

I think the students from St Angela’s & St Bonaventure’s 6th Form will walk the extra ten minutes for this spicy and healthy lunch.”

The project was commissioned by arts organisation Create London which tasked not-for-profit behaviour change firm We Are What We Do with delivering it.

If successful, it could be rolled out across the capital.