Arden Foodbank holds Ready Steady Cook competition in Studley Pubs

To help raise awareness of Arden Foodbank’s centre in Studley, Arden Foodbank partnered with three local pubs in August. Chefs at the Little Lark, the Railway Inn and the Jubilee competed to see which pub could create and cook the best two course meal using the contents of an emergency food parcel. All parcels were nutritionally balanced, and contained sufficient food for three meals for three days.

The competition took place on Tuesday 20 August at the Jubilee at 6pm, on Wednesday 21 August at the Railway Inn at 7pm, and on Thursday 22 August at the Little Lark at 7pm. In addition to the emergency food parcel, each chef was able to spend up to £3 to supplement its contents, and was also able to choose up to three fresh items from Alcester Community Fridge. The chefs provided a recipe card for each meal, which foodbank volunteers will give out to clients in future.

The chef’s meals were judged by a panel of four well known local residents. Mike Osborne, chair of Studley Parish Council; Jennifer Stone, artistic director at Aunty Jen Productions; Steve Marchant, director of Masefields Architects, and member of Studley in Business; and Ruth Jewell, Funeral Celebrant, member of Studley in Business, and the person who gave the Foodbank the idea for this event. The winning pub was announced on Friday 23 August. Many congratulations went to chef Ross at the Little Lark. The judges unanimously agreed that Chef Ross produced the most creative and tasty dishes.

Arden Foodbank was careful to avoid using any donated food for this event. The cost of the emergency food parcels used each evening was met by two sponsors, AHC Homes and Chris Osborne @budgetshippingcontainers. All unused food was donated to the Foodbank.

Susan Kinnersley, Manager of Arden Foodbank said “ We are very concerned that there are people in Studley who need us, but do not know we are open every Tuesday from 2.00-3.30 pm in the Methodist Church on the Alcester Road. Arden Foodbank operates from two centres, the other being at the Eric Payne Community Centre in Alcester on a Friday. The latest figures show that Studley and Alcester have almost the same population. In 2023, we fed a total of 1856 people including 643 children, (double the number in 2022), but only 480 or 25% of those came to our Studley Foodbank. This event is one of several things we are doing to try and increase our visibility in Studley and reach those who need us most.”

Back to News