A cooking charity based in Richmond is planning to expand across more London boroughs – including Putney and Wandsworth – if more funding can be secured.
Cooking Up – who currently operate out of community hubs in Hampton, Whitton and Ham – offer free cookery classes to people who’re eager to learn simple and healthy recipes.
The charity’s chair, Janet Hilton, got inspiration for the charity after working in a food bank during the Covid-19 pandemic, where she observed how users were reluctant to take fresh produce.
She said: “We needed to get more people learning how to cook, because a lot of people are spending too much money on takeaways and they’re eating too much ultra-processed foods.
“Then there’s people with mental health issues, who’ve got depression and who’re not working – they need to meet other people.
“We offer a free, and very easy and friendly way to do just that.”
Since their inception in 2022, Cooking Up have made over 2000 meals, which are based on cost-effective and one-pot recipes that can be replicated at home.
They rely on an army of local volunteers who mentor participants throughout the cooking process.
One of Cooking Up’s participants, Katie Sullivan, who lives in Richmond but is originally from New York, feels the 1-to-1 support during the cooking classes is hugely beneficial.
She said: “Having someone next to you – either preparing food together or cooking simultaneously – makes it feel more doable.
“Cooking is a chore to me,” she added, “but when I’ve got company it’s lovely and enjoyable.”
Janet revealed that the charity will be offering classes out of Putney from February next year, and is in discussions with Wandsworth Borough Council to increase provision across southwest London.
However, the chair also added that longer term funding is needed to help Cooking Up in their bid to tackle food poverty and social isolation across more locations.
Those who’re interested in getting involved – either as a participant or volunteer – and those who wish to donate to Cooking Up, can do so by visiting: https://www.cookingup.org/
Featured image credit: Cooking Up
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