Swapping running gear for aprons to help host the guests, making hot drinks and serving up a delicious three-course meal. The freshly cooked menu included a hearty Caesar salad with roast potatoes, followed by ratatouille, and finished with banana and chocolate pancakes! A true feast!

With plenty of prep and serving to do, the team did a brilliant job ensuring everyone felt welcomed and well-fed.

A great side benefit was managing the leftover produce: we had quite a bit of lettuce and bananas remaining, which we gratefully handed out for the guests to take home. This ensured no food went to waste and gave our guests some fresh ingredients to enjoy later.

This evening’s donation proved a challenge, consisting mainly of bananas, peppers and pumpkins that lacked much flavour to work with. The starter unfortunately wasn’t ready in time, a learning moment for future events, but the team persevered as always. They served 19 guests a comforting pumpkin risotto followed by banana cake for pudding. Special mention goes to the kitchen newcomers, who handled the pressures of service with confidence and enthusiasm.

Despite an hour’s delay in ingredient delivery and a non-functioning gas cooker, the team pulled off an impressive service, preparing and serving a full three-course meal to 26 guests using only a deep fryer and a microwave. Working primarily with donated apples and ready-meal pizzas, the team showed incredible creativity and teamwork. Guests were treated to patatas bravas to start, followed by panzerotti served with salad and a deep-fried dumpling, and finished the evening with a warm chocolate mug cake. A remarkable effort that truly showcased adaptability and team spirit.

This evening’s service welcomed 29 guests. The hosting team ran everything smoothly, while the cooking team prepared and served three delicious courses. Guests enjoyed a goats’ cheese and cauliflower parcel with salad to start, followed by tomato and garlic spaghetti for the main course, and finished with poached pear, custard, and plum sauce for pudding.

A big well done to everyone involved this evening! We welcomed 30 guests, supported by first time volunteers as well as experienced members of the hosting team, who did a brilliant job serving our guests and keeping everything spotless. The cooking team, turned out three fantastic courses: pizza to start, followed by rice, daal and fried potatoes for the main, and a comforting crumble for pudding. Another smooth and successful service, thanks to the whole team’s hard work.

With 35 guests, the team have set a new record for attendance, making it the busiest session since launch. The hosting team kept everything running smoothly, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout. Guests enjoyed spring onion pancakes served with coriander and coconut chutney to start, followed by a hearty ratatouille pasta, and finished on a sweet note with a delicious apple and plum crumble. Another fantastic effort from the whole team!