The Plant-Based Community Cookery School
The Plant-Based Community Cookery School
Posted Thursday 31st October 2024...
Peter is a dedicated volunteer who has been with us since March 2023. Peter supports us in our community cooking classes & meal service sessions, and has clocked up an impressive 646 hours in volunteer time. Peter makes every day brighter with his positive energy, sense of humour and delicious cakes!
Peter’s passion for cooking started when he went to boarding school and began working in the kitchens. He later went on to catering college, before moving to London to continue a career in hospitality that lasted 30 years! Peter uses his skills and knowledge in our kitchen to support the smooth running of our operations.
Peter says that ‘I have learnt to reinvent myself. After years of feeling stagnated, I find that volunteering gives me enjoyable challenges that I know I can overcome. It is sociable and rewarding, and helps me thrive’
You can read his full interview below:
What do you most enjoy about volunteering for MIH?
It has given me the opportunity to meet amazing people from Hackney community and surrounding boroughs. I particularly enjoyed meeting the Deputy Lieutenant for the borough of Hackney, Mr Stephen Howlett CBE. He visited us to meet community participants and learn about how Made In Hackney is teaching important cookery skills using fresh plant-based produce.
What have you learnt, if anything?
What I have learnt is to be patient, something I had forgotten to be, and to accept people for who they are. I have re-learnt how to communicate with community members. It is okay sometimes to be quiet, and not talk for the sake of it, which is something that I still have to work on! I have also learnt to reinvent myself. I have experienced many years of not wanting to do anything and I became stagnated. It can be challenging experiencing mental health issues and living alone as a gay man, but I find that volunteering gives me enjoyable challenges and obstacles that I know I can overcome.
Other than tired - how do you feel after a session? ☺️
Whenever the session is over yes, one is tired, but it’s knowing that I have done my best to assist in a class. It is a great feeling when a participant says thank you and that they have learnt a lot and enjoyed the class. Above all I feel happy to have made a difference.
Has volunteering for MIH changed your diet or lifestyle in any way?
Yes, I eat more fresh produce and I cook more plant-based food because my understanding is so much better. I eat less meat and fish produce. I have always enjoyed most vegetables, but I am more experimental these days. I now try tofu and other plant-based products.
Anything else you'd like to share about your experience with us?
Volunteering with Made in Hackney has given me the opportunity to believe in myself again. I cook at home even more than I did and it has given me my life back in a very good way. I use my skills from when I was working in hospitality, and this is very good for my mental health.
Why did you start volunteering with us in the first place and has the exp met your original aims?
I started volunteering for Made In Hackney in 2023. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and care that everyone at Made In Hackney has for what they do, and their desire to share their knowledge and skills whether they are volunteers, class participants or members of the team.
Is the community aspect of it as important as the food?
The community aspect is indeed important as the food. Without the community the food might not play a massive part. Food is a powerful way in communicating and bringing communities together no matter where you come from, what your beliefs are, your sexual orientation or your political views.
Food education in our community is important for the next generation to understand how and where food comes from and that sustainable eating healthy and making changes in our diet lifestyle is beneficial to us all. Food should be there for everyone to enjoy, and being able to pass on knowledge can make a real difference.
Any highlights so far?
The highlights are having fun and being with people who enjoy food, and through showing and teaching, it makes a difference to the community. Volunteering has given me the confidence to do things outside of Made In Hackney like Church Bell Ringing. Similar to volunteering at MIH, it is sociable and very rewarding, and both help me thrive.