IT was sugar and spice and all things nice at Bolton School thanks to celebrity chef Debbie Halls-Evans.

The winner of TV cooking show The Taste was showcasing her talent for adding additional layers to food to eager students of all ages in the food technology class.

Debbie brought with her a selection of the different infusions and talked the girls through the process of making each of them — from cinnamon, vanilla and mint sugars to the powerful curry scent of garam masala salt and the rich aroma of applewood smoked salt.

Debbie told the girls about the importance of creating a "3D flavour" that uses all five tastes — bitter, sweet, sour, salty and umami — in every dish.

Debbie said: "It was a brilliant day with the Bolton School students demonstrating infusions and creating depth of flavour in cooking at home — and school.

"I was approached by the school to present something for the students on a subject that they might not ever have thought about. So rather than bake them a cake I decided to introduce them to the idea of infusions using salt, sugar and oils."

She also talked about her career so far since winning the Channel 4 cooking show featuring Nigella Lawson, Anthony Bourdain, and Debbie's mentor Ludo Lefebvre earlier this year.

Since her success, Debbie, who had no formal training before the show, has been involved in a number of activities — but has continued to concentrate most of her time in her home town.

She added: "I love Bolton which is why I do so much here. In fact I have a really big announcement coming which I'm really excited about, so watch this space."

Natalie James, Bolton School Girls' Division food technology teacher, who organised the event, said: "It was really useful for the girls to meet Debbie and hear her talk, especially for the A Level and GCSE students to help in their developmental practical work."