Cook-In Community Lunch testimonials:
The food was all very tasty! Amazing what you and all your helpers put together…
John DowneI just want to say a huge thank you to you and your amazing team of volunteers for such a fabulous lunch. I’m so impressed by the food but also the story behind it and one day, I look forward to seeing your cookbook. Please pass on my thanks to your volunteers and to the two young lads – what a pair of fabulous ambassadors they are!
Wendy CrookallSchool testimonials:
“We have been so lucky to have Penny and her voluneers to support our cooking club this term. With a mix of tasty ‘Eat the Rainbow’ recipes. They have also donated plants to stock our school garden including potatoes and strawberries for future cooking and lent us cooking appliances as we build our school resources for future cooking opportunities.”
Debbie Munday, Headteacher, Shefford & Chaddleworth Schools
Parent testimonials:
“Just wanted to say thank you for the cooking demos at the market today. Today both our daughters were keen to try what you made, without us suggesting it to them. I think that over the markets that we’ve been to, they’ve slowly become interested. G is quite a picky eater (to say the least) but she does want to push herself to try new things. So thank you! You’re making a difference.”
Hungerford Mum
“My son Henry absolutely loved attending the cooking club at Hungerford Primary School. As someone who is neurodiverse, he can sometimes find after-school clubs challenging — but this one was different. He came home each week so proud of what he’d made and couldn’t wait to share his cooking with the family. It quickly became the highlight of his week. We’re so grateful for such an inclusive and fun environment.”
Chloe Ellis
“My son has been taking part in your after school cooking club. He has ARFID which is a very restrictive eating disorder. Since the age of 2 he has only had around 10-15 ‘safe foods’ which he will eat, and hasn’t eaten a hot meal since he was weaning as a baby. Children with ARFID are very often brand specific when eating food. They check each item visually, and if it doesn’t look how they think it should or if it smells different then it is rejected.
“But from the very first session of your cooking club he has embraced new foods and has not only learnt new skills but has actually eaten and enjoyed most of the food! He is very keen to continue his new cooking skills at home. He is particularly keen on making the cauliflower nuggets again.
“I am so very pleased and I can not thank you enough for running the club and making it enjoyable for all the children.”
Hungerford Primary School Mum
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Community Group testimonials
We love our Chai, Chop and Chat sessions with Hungerford Food Community where we enjoy cooking lunch together under the guidance of their team.
A huge thank you to Penny, Barry and Ness for teaching us tasty recipes, serving up food AND good vibes. It is a nourishing experience on so many levels for our volunteers and clients. Penny also spoke to us about how we can enjoy healthy vegetarian options and the impact of the meat industry on our planet and our bodies and our pockets.
Project Salama
“It was a fun, informative and child led activity. Giving time and opportunity for parents to talk and interact with their children. It gave parents the information and practicle skills to prepare two healthy meals and a snack for their families. It demonstrated how quick and easy this was and there was a discussion about how the food can be batched prepared and frozen
An energy saving air fryer was used to cook one of the dishes – this was discussed with the parents.
The children were in a peer group, so were more inclined to try and enjoy new foods during the session. Parents saw this and will hopefully be encouraged to buy these new healthy foods. Weaning littles one, it helped for the families to get a better idea of the different foods to try them with but also how happy the babies were to try different foods, encouraged fine motor and hand eye coordinate with the chopping, picking food up from the trays. Letting the children decide for themselves and make choices with what they wanted to use and if they like the texture or flavour.
Encouraging positive conversations between parent/child and as well as parents to parents about food. One Mum said she “couldn’t believe how well her child has sat concentrating, enjoying it and tasting new foods”
The session helped children and parents look at their eating habits, encouraging different flavours and textures and healthy alternatives. The session encouraged home cooking with more vegetables and fibre into their children’s diet.
Showing parents different ingredients that they might not necessarily think to buy or afford. One Dad said he had “forgotten how quick and easy pesto was”.
Reminding the families how important washing hands are and passing this on to the children encouraging awareness around them.
Once again thank you for the session. Please thank your two wonderful volunteers!”
HomeStart West Berkshire family group