I stayed on at the Soup Kitchen today for the lunch session, serving the clients with the delicious meal cooked by Chef Andrew. It’s always interesting chatting to the guests, both regulars and newcomers, and hearing their stories. As usual, it was a busy lunchtime and, once most people had been served, I took over washing up duties in the kitchen. It was a varied day with different chores making it all the more fun!

I started the day at Ealing Soup Kitchen by serving coffee, tea and cereal. As always it was a rush at 11am when the doors opened and we had a long queue at one point. But it quietened down once everyone had been served and I was asked to help sort clothes - as that room was short of volunteers. It’s always fun sorting the bags of donations - even if my dust allergy does trigger a sneezing fit!

Rainu returned to ESK for another Tea shift. In her own words it "was very good". She cut up cakes and bread. Hoovered and basically helped out where she could in the preparation of anothe Friday Hub session Also unwrapped and tied up plastic Aprons. Felt great 👍

It was a relief that the new oven was up and running today. In spite of the heat, Ealing Soup Kitchen’s clients much prefer a hot meal. Manager Angela was today’s chef and she cooked a Caribbean special of stewed peas with ox tail and rice. Vegetarian option was also popular and ran out which is unusual. I was on serving duties and kept busy with a constant flow of clients - all wanting their food and a seemingly endless supply of cold drinks. I always enjoy serving as I get a chance to chat to the regulars - and meet the new clients.

It was another hot one today but that didn’t deter the clients from lining up for tea and coffee. And a lot must have missed breakfast as there was a big demand for breakfast cereal. Such a demand that we thought we had run out of milk at one point - but one of the resourceful supervisors had stashed a secret supply! Slushies were also a great idea.

At lunchtime today I was one of the servers- there was a constant flow of guests so we servers were kept very busy. Ealing Soup Kitchen has a new cooker but the ventilation needs connecting so it can’t be used yet - too risky for kitchen volunteers!
So lunch today was a selection of salads which received a mixed reception. Some of the guests - and volunteers (including me) - loved the meal but several were clearly missing their hot lunch. Clearly cous cous with pasta and pesto salads are not to everyone’s taste. Hopefully next week will see a return to normal service!