MP Angela Rayner swapped parliamentary debates for pizza prep during a hands-on visit to Morrison’s in Dukinfield.
The Ashton-under-Lyne MP spent the afternoon touring the store’s Market Street counters, where staff are gearing up for the busy festive season with an array of fresh Christmas produce.
After meeting the fishmonger and butcher, she was invited behind the bakery counter to have a go at crafting one of the supermarket’s seasonal best-sellers: the pigs-in-blankets pizza.
Wearing a hairnet and apron, the MP layered cheese, sausages, bacon and a festive drizzle of cranberry sauce onto the dough before packaging the creation herself.
“I was told that the staff aim to try and make each pizza within three minutes,” she said. “I didn’t quite make mine in the required time limit, but it definitely looked edible, and I enjoyed it for my tea later that night.”
The former Deputy Prime Minister also met café worker Angie, who recently had 19 inches of her hair cut off, raising an impressive £3,660 for patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Tameside Macmillan Unit.
“It was great to meet Angie and hear about her incredibly selfless act to raise money for such a good cause,” the MP said. “I really enjoyed my visit to Morrison’s and am very grateful to the whole team for being so welcoming.”
Store Manager Paul Finch said the team enjoyed giving the MP a closer look at their festive preparations.
“We were delighted to welcome Angela and showcase many of the excellent Christmas products we have in store,” he said. “We pride ourselves on our fresh food and Angela saw this first hand when she had a go preparing our mouthwatering festive pizza!”