With many families facing food insecurity, we know that unequal access to healthy, nutritious meals affects young people every day. That’s why providing free, fresh, and wholesome food is at the heart of what we do, this Youth Work Week, we want to shine a spotlight on someone who makes that possible: our wonderful Catering Assistant, Simone.
Simone joined the team last year, and since then our young people have been enjoying her delicious meals cooked completely from scratch. Her commitment to healthy eating was recognised early on when she achieved the Gold Award from Bristol Eating Better, scoring 34 out of a possible 34 actions. An outstanding achievement that reflects her dedication to ensuring our young people have access to food that is not only nutritious but truly delicious.
But Simone’s impact reaches far beyond the kitchen.
Teaching Skills for Life
Through our Well-being Champions project, Simone has been running hands-on cooking workshops designed to equip young people with skills they can carry into adulthood. From preparing stir-fries and curries to creating desserts from scratch, participants have been learning just how fun, accessible, and rewarding cooking can be.
Alongside practical cooking skills, Simone has also been teaching young people about:
- Kitchen safety
- Allergen awareness
- What a balanced diet really looks like
These sessions don’t just fill stomachs — they build confidence, independence, and a deeper understanding of how food fuels our bodies and minds.
Opening Doors to Professional Pathways
This year, we’ve also partnered with 91 Ways and Square Food Foundation to broaden these opportunities even further. Together, we’ve delivered cooking workshops that not only teach new skills but also introduce young people to what a career in the food and hospitality industry could look like.
In our most recent session, young people took part in an inspiring workshop led by Bristol-based renowned chef Ben Harvey from The Bianchi’s Group. Learning directly from a professional chef gave them a taste of real-world culinary creativity and insight into different career pathways.
A Big Thank You
Simone’s passion and commitment have made a real difference, from improving access to healthy food to empowering young people with lifelong skills. We’re proud to celebrate her this Youth Work Week and grateful for everything she brings to our community.
Here’s to more great food, new skills, and opportunities that help young people thrive. Next year we look forward to hosting similar sessions in the 224 Training Kitchen!