Dozens of jobs are up for grabs at TV chef Jamie Oliver’s new Ministry of Food in Stratford.

The mobile centre is set to open its doors within weeks and bosses are hunting for an army of so-called “food champions”.

They will also be recruiting a manager and assistant manager for the project.

Staff will be tasked with arranging 10-week courses teaching the preparation of food using fresh ingredients.

Lessons will take place at schools, community centres and businesses across Newham, with a permanent base planned for the near future.

Director Carlos Montes said the total number of jobs created would depend on the applications received.

He also expects the courses to help create further positions in the local catering and hospitality sector.

Mr Montes said: “Newham is a place that is full of potential and there are already organisations we can work with in terms of hospitality and catering,” Carlos added.

“We are also linking to schools and colleges and will look to strengthen the education message.”

He added: “We want people who are good in the community, but also that are commercially savvy.

“We want people like Jamie Oliver, in effect.

“The team will deliver the classes efficiently and effectively and we will link their performance to their remuneration.”

The Stratford Ministry of Food has been two years in the planning and will be the fifth such centre in England — and the first in London.

It will be run by Leaside Regeneration and funded by NHS Newham, although it aims to be self-funding within three years.

The Jamie Oliver Foundation, the chef’s charity, licenses his name for a fee and provides recipes and other backing.