Bags of Taste is underway in Sheffield… officially!
We had a brilliant launch event at Manor Oaks House yesterday, with representatives from The Star and Sheffield Live on hand to record event.
Dave also went on BBC Radio Sheffield, chatting to DJ Howie about the new scheme.
To catch up, read the press release below. And do get in touch if you’d like to be (more) involved in what we’re doing!
Thank you to everyone who attended; especially John and Hayley, who did all the cooking. (I was too busy networking and being interviewed!)
A free cookery school, teaching Sheffield residents takeaway favourites for just £1 a portion, served up lunch at a high-class wedding venue in one of Sheffield’s most deprived wards.
National nonprofit Bags of Taste had its Sheffield launch at Manor Oaks House, in Manor Castle, on Wednesday morning. Volunteer cooks prepared lunch for eight at a cost of around £6, including sides and garnishes.
The eager team showcased specially-designed recipes which are also low in salt and fat, despite being packed with flavour. These will be taught at free classes for those on tight budgets, beginning at a Manor Castle food bank next month.
Volunteer cook John Oldham, who recently retired, said: “The aim of Bags of Taste really resonates with me. I got involved due to my interest in cooking and a desire to do something about social inequality.
“I volunteer at a community cafe too, so I hope teaching people to cook cheap, tasty and healthy meals for themselves will be massively rewarding. It’s giving people the ability to make better choices in an important part of their lives.”
He added: “I really enjoyed the launch event. There was good chemistry in the team and lots of passion for the cause. The food was very tasty too — particularly for just 75p a portion.”
Bags of Taste classes will be completely free to attend. Participants will learn eight recipes during the four-day course, with the option to buy locally-sourced ingredients for just 75p a serving. Discount cookware and store cupboard staples will also be on offer, as well as advice on where to source ingredients at the lowest possible cost.
The scheme has already been highly successful in London and earned company founder Alicia Weston BEM a mention in the Queen’s Honours.
Dave Doyle is organising and managing the scheme in Sheffield — the first Bags of Taste project in northern England. “I’m really excited to kick things off in South Yorkshire and so grateful to the staff at Manor Lodge for letting us use their beautiful new venue,” he said.
“This project is all about lowering the barriers which prevent people from feeding themselves. That might be a tight budget, lack of skills, time pressures, low confidence or a combination of things.
“I’ve already met people in their thirties who had never even boiled rice or pasta. They relied entirely on takeaways and ready meals, until Bags of Taste helped them gain the knowledge and confidence to feed themselves — saving them hundreds of pounds a year.
He added: “We’ve got a great team of volunteers and partner organisations — like John, Hayley and Green Estate — but we’d love to involve more. I’d ask anyone who wants to make a massive difference to Sheffield people’s lives to please get in touch with us.”
Sylvia McLean is and ambassador for the Food Teachers’ Centre, a national body of 5,000 food teachers who offer mutual support and share best practice. She lent her expertise in preparing lunch at the launch — and scrubbing the pots afterwards.
“I was very pleased to meet the committed team at Bags of Taste in Sheffield,” Sylvia said. “We’re very happy to add the support of the Food Teachers’ Centre to this inspiring and worthwhile project. It will offer much-needed, hands-on and practical support for many families across the city.”
Amanda Pickard, health improvement practitioner in Sheffield City Council’s public health department, attended the launch on behalf of the local authority and also mucked in at the Bags of Taste portable kitchen.
The launch took place at Manor Lodge’s newly-refurbished wedding venue, the use of which was kindly donated site managers Green Estate. Juliet Grace, Green Estate’s visitor service manager, called Bags of Taste “a great project which deserves to do well”.
She added: “We offered to support the project because we are keenly aware that many families in Manor Castle are, or have been, reliant upon the S2 Food Bank. Any project which can support those families to enjoy good healthy food on a tight budget is to be applauded.”
Bags of Taste Sheffield will run its first free cookery courses at St Swithun’s Church, on Cary Road in Manor Castle, from Tuesday 1 October.
Anyone wanting more information can visit bagsoftaste.org, email us or call/text 07894440519. The branch is also on Twitter and Instagram, using the handle @BoTSheffield.
Bags of Taste Sheffield 