School pupils learning the basics of professional cookery at Forth Valley College, stepped up to the plate recently to prepare 800 charity Christmas takeaway meals for the Start-Up Stirling Foodbank.
Following on from the success of the meal preparation last year which saw hundreds of takeaway three course Christmas Dinners delivered to deserving households to provide some festive cheer, FVC’s Hospitality Department were once again happy to go above and beyond in aid of a good cause.
A total of 11 NC Professional Cookery students – one from Graeme High School and 10 from Larbert High School – led by Chef Lecturer Ruari Chatburn and Kitchen Supervisor Scott Rankin, formed a makeshift production line to serve up food boxes containing lentil soup, turkey and trimmings and berry cheesecake, which was produced by the students from the NC Bakery course based at Stirling.
Emma Leitch (17) from Graeme High School, said: “I have really enjoyed being involved as it is really worthwhile.”
Lambis Tsianikas (17) from Larbert High School, said: “I enjoyed the teamwork from us all, which has been really important.”
Fellow Larbert High School pupil, Courtney Anne Black, added: “It is important to do things like this, especially at this time of year. I really enjoyed it.”
Jahcari Greenwood (16) also from Larbert High School, said: “I thought it was good to get involved as it is worthwhile and the experience will also benefit us in our course.”
Gareth Davies, FVC Chef Manager, added: “Although I’m fairly new to FVC It has been fantastic to be part of the wider effort from the team to deliver 800 three course frozen meals to such a worthy cause as Start-Up Stirling. They do so much great work in and around the community and I know all of us at the College are delighted to be doing our little bit, to aid food poverty within the local area. Although we understand this doesn’t lift individuals out of their situation, we hope that by having a good quality nutritious health meal, it will help them enjoy Christmas that little but more.
“I also need to take the time to really take my hat off to the team that have created these meals. Scott and the kitchen team in Falkirk have been fantastic in the production and logistical planning alongside the various lecturers within the department, who have all played a part in the production of these great quality meals, alongside all the students who have also been involved. It really has been a full team effort and we all appreciate the work that each and every one of them has put into this.
“My colleagues and I are looking forward to delivering the final products to Start-Up Stirling this week for the guys to start distributing before the big day and I also greatly look forward to discussing what we can achieve together moving forward, between Start-Up and ourselves here at FVC.”
