“FOOD cooked by a person who is angry, depressed or full of arrogance or hatred will have a different effect from food cooked with feelings of love, peace and the pure desire to serve.”

So says Food & Soul, an inspirational cookbook compiled by the Brahma Kumaris ‘world spiritual university’, the charity which is finding new converts in the Lake District thanks to Jan Amin, the driving force behind a series of successful culinary workshops.

Not only designed to introduce people to vegetarian cooking, the workshops also aim to show that the love with which you prepare food is as important as the ingredients.

“It will also make up for any deficit in culinary skills,” says Jan, who lives in Kendal, balancing a career in sales and marketing with the exciting demands of the ‘Food & Soul’ project.

“There is a lack of knowledge and understanding about what vegetarians can eat and certainly very little awareness of the impact of how attitudes affect cooking,” explained Jan, who has been given the blessing of the South Lakeland Food Forum because of the project’s bid to increase our consumption of fruit and vegetables.

“And all our workshops remain free so that people from all walks of life and different cultures can benefit,” added Jan.

The ninth of 11 children born to Hindu parents, Jan was brought up on a strict vegetarian diet. Unfortunately, it was her older siblings who received instruction in the kitchen. When Jan had to fend for herself, a veggie diet of bread and cheese resulted in all sorts of food allergies and skin problems.

The Brahma Kumaris – who have the backing of Prince Charles for their efforts to bring about positive changes in society – were the answer to Jan’s prayers.

Having completely overhauled her diet, she is no longer afraid to experiment in the kitchen.

After all, “the motivation of the cook to offer sustenance is as nourishing as the food prepared”.

Jan explained: “Preparing food full of love, humour and lightness makes it easy to digest.” Dismayed by today’s hectic lifestyles, Jan says people are so busy they have forgotten how to enjoy food, especially families, many of whom no longer make time to eat together.

“And yet celebrations are always around food - food and people,” said Jan, who is also the local representative for the Vegetarian Society.

Her Kendal workshops have been so successful that follow-up sessions are in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, Ambleside Library, in Kelsick Road, will host ‘Food & Soul’ get-togethers on October 22, 25, 29 and November 1. Other workshops will be held in Kirkby Lonsdale on November 8 and in Sedbergh at the People’s Hall on November 15. Dates in Ulverston, Barrow and Broughton-in-Furness have still to be confirmed but are likely to be in February and March next year.

Jan is also fine-tuning details of a retreat at Patterdale (December 8, 9 and 10) which, because of accommodation overheads, will cost £35.

For details of all the ‘Food & Soul’ workshops or for information about the cookbook, call Jan Amin on 01539-735004 or e-mail kendal@bkwsu.org.uk