Havant and South Downs College's apprentice chefs turn their skills to cooking for vulnerable in the community

With their course put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic the trainee chefs had ‘become bored’ and contacted the college’s course assessor, Gemma Hammond, to see how they could put their skills to good use.

Gemma said: ‘The Commis Chef apprentices told me that they were quite bored so I asked if they thought they might be able to volunteer their skills to help vulnerable people in the area. One apprentice was already working with Foodwise, preparing free school meals for underprivileged children.’

With thousands of people across the region either vulnerable or shielded and having to isolate at home, many Hampshire residents are now dependent on local support groups and charities to supply their food and meals.

Gemma added: ‘I found out from my connections that The Duke of Buckingham Food Hub were preparing and delivering meals to the elderly and the vulnerable who cannot leave their houses due to the risk of infection. So far, the Food Hub have prepared and delivered over 3,600 meals.

‘The chefs have now joined this team as well as the team at Landport Community Kitchen and Enable Ability, who cook and deliver free meals to vulnerable residents and people with learning difficulties.’

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Gemma said she is proud of the youngsters for their selfless act in thinking about the needs of the wider community.

‘Our learners have shown great resilience in these difficult times, recognising that their skills and knowledge are greatly needed in the community to help care for the increasing number of vulnerable people.

‘These young chefs, by volunteering, have put their community first, showing great spirit in times of need. I am incredibly proud of their efforts.’

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