'Over my dead body!' Council busybodies 'threaten' chef father for letting son, 14, help him out at work

Dexter, from Four Marks, Hampshire, has cooked alongside his father in a high-end food truck called Crane Feasts since 2024.

Mr Olejarka said the council contacted him via email and said he must sign official letters pledging Dexter will not work with him in the future.

He said: "I will never sign something like that because that is like me committing to a suicide mission.

"Over my dead body will I give away my son's dream to the council."

Mr Olejarka has denied claims that Dexter is an employee.

He said: "Dexter has worked very hard to get to where he is now. It is not fair on him because we have done absolutely nothing wrong."

"We don't understand what power the council has to dictate what skills parents can teach their own kids."

The father-of-three told the Mail: "Dexter is working out of his own will because he decided instead of spending time on computer games, he would rather get life skills."'

"Youngsters are like diamonds. They come into the kitchen, and if they have got the right mentor, they will achieve."

"What is the most frustrating part is our local council attacked us as a parent and attacked Dexter as a young child."

His father said his passion for cooking began at age nine.

Dexter completed a Level 2 Food Hygiene training and junior Chef course at Eastleigh College.

He has helped his father in the truck after school for a few hours at a time on Thursday and Friday evenings, and on Saturdays.

Mr Olejarka believes that a video from Cambridge-based food influencers "Food Review Club" which highlighted the food truck and Dexter's talent tipped off the council.

The family has started a petition to the council to review and reverse its decision.

A Hampshire County Council spokesman said: "We can't comment on individual cases, but we fully recognise how important it is for children to explore their interests and build new skills safely, alongside their education.

"The Council has a legal responsibility to make sure all children in Hampshire are safe, protected, and not missing out on school if they take part in any kind of work.

"This means ensuring they have the right work permit, are not doing tasks or working hours that are prohibited by law for their age, and that any work happens outside the school day. These national rules exist to prevent exploitation and keep children safe in potentially risky environments.

"We're always here to help families understand the child employment rules, which can be detailed, and we encourage anyone with questions to get in touch for advice."