A DIVERSE group of committed volunteers dished up three-course meals for grateful guests for the first time in months.
FoodCycle Clacton, based at Pier Avenue Baptist Church, uses surplus food to create tasty dishes for people at risk of food poverty and social isolation.
The workers do not see what items they will be cooking with until the morning of their meals, but take pride in their creative ‘ready, steak, cook’ approach.
For the past 16 months, during the pandemic, the generous chefs and workers have continued to serve the community by offering a takeaway and delivery service.
On Monday, however, following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the non-profit organisation’s team of volunteers were finally able to dish up in person one again.
Working hard - Suzzane Griggs, Geoff Thorington-Hassell, Kira Jeffries and Fiorella Abbarchi
Gobbling up a menu fit for a restaurant, the guests enjoyed bruschetta, frittata with potatoes and cauliflower cheese, and a slice of banana cake and custard with tea.
Fiorella Abbarchi, 52, project leader for FoodCycle Clacton’s cooking team, said: “It was wonderful to finally return back to our community sit-down meals.
“The cooking team enjoyed the opportunity to take pride in the presentation of the meals, rather than using takeaway containers that we’ve been doing since September.
“We now hope to see more guests joining us. This is open to everyone and anyone.
“There’s no criteria or referral. If you love food then you will love us.”
Food haul - Chris Southall, with the surplus donations the volunteers use to make their meals
Project leader Julie Claxton was equally thrilled to welcome residents back.
She added: “How exciting it was to open our doors and welcome guests back inside for a community meal.
“There was a real buzz and excitement to share a tasty nutritious meal and start to rebuild the lovely community feeling of eating and sharing together again.”
FoodCycle Clacton, which operates each Monday from noon, is now on the look out for more volunteers.
To find out more, head HERE.
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