JAMIE Oliver’s Ministry of Food Mobile Kitchen has pulled out of the parking lot but left many volunteers behind.
Cardinia Shire Council hosted a celebration dinner last Thursday to thank and acknowledge those volunteers who helped during the bus’s 10-week stay in Pakenham.
About 30 volunteers helped the 540 people who took park in the two five-week cooking courses in August and September.
The volunteers helped course participants with tasks including preparing and topping up ingredients, washing dishes, emptying bins and keeping an eye on foods as they cooked.
Local residents, Judy Roberts and her daughters, Lauren and Kristen, were volunteers for the mobile kitchen and said it was a very rewarding experience.
“I got involved because I think everyone should be able to cook healthy, simple meals. Many people eat too much take-away!” Mrs Roberts said.
“I was impressed with how much they learned in only five short weeks! And while we are reasonably experienced cooks, my daughters and I also picked up some handy tips.”
Mayor Brett Owen was one of the hundreds of people who completed the course.
“Having completed the five-week course myself, I can honestly say what a fantastic program Jamie’s Ministry of Food is,” he said.
“My classmates and I learned to create delicious and nutritious dishes for family and friends, had a lot of fun and now know a lot more about healthy eating.”
