Council Threatens Prosecution Over Teen's Food Truck Role
A father from Hampshire has declared "over my dead body" will he surrender his son's culinary aspirations after being threatened with prosecution by the local council. The council alleges that allowing his 14-year-old son to assist at the family food truck violates child employment regulations under The Children & Young Persons Act 1933.
Family's Passion Clashes with Council Regulations
Greg Olejarka, 42, from Four Marks, Hampshire, received what he describes as a "threatening" email from Hampshire County Council last week. The council insists that his son Dexter, who has been cooking alongside him in their truck "Crane Feasts" since 2024, is working in a "commercial kitchen," which is illegal for a child of his age. Greg, who has Polish and Italian heritage, told the Daily Mail that the council is "forcing" them to "sign official letters that Dexter will not be working now or in the future in the food trailer."
"I will never sign something like that because that is like me committing to a suicide mission," Greg stated emphatically. "Over my dead body will I give away my son's dream to the council." Dexter, a student at Perins School in New Alresford, has been left "heartbroken" by the council's stance, as he hopes to pursue a career in the culinary arts.
Father Denies Exploitation Claims
Greg vehemently denies the council's implication that Dexter is an employee being "exploited." He explained, "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, who shares his children with wife Karen, emphasized that Dexter participates voluntarily. "Dexter is working out of his own will because he decided instead of spending time on computer games, he would rather get life skills," Greg said. He added, "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."
Dexter's Culinary Journey and Routine
Dexter's passion for cooking began when he was nine years old, flourishing during the pandemic. He has since completed Level 2 Food Hygiene training and a junior Chef course at Eastleigh College. He assists his father in the family truck—named in honour of Dexter's late grandmother—for three-hour shifts on Thursday and Friday evenings and on Saturdays. Despite this commitment, he maintains his schoolwork and has passed all his exams.
The food truck serves five locations, catering to between 60 and 80 customers per visit. Regular patrons were so impressed by Dexter's talent that they contacted the Cambridge-based food influencers "Food Review Club." The founder, Matthew Blinge, visited last month and posted a glowing review to their 302,000 followers. Greg suspects this exposure may have alerted the council to their activities.
Legal Framework and Council Response
Under The Children & Young Persons Act 1933, children aged 14 can generally take on "light work" part-time jobs, provided it does not endanger their health, safety, or education. In response to the situation, a Hampshire County Council spokesperson 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 spokesperson continued, "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."
Family's Fight and Background
In response to the council's actions, the family has started a petition urging the council to review and reverse its decision to ban Dexter from pursuing his hobby. Greg's own culinary journey began at age 11 under the tutelage of his Italian grandfather, leading to a career as a chef after moving to the UK in 2003. He is determined to support his son's similar path, framing the conflict as a battle between bureaucratic oversight and parental guidance in nurturing a child's dream.
