I was back on serving duties at lunchtime. In spite of it being very busy - over 120 meals served - I really enjoy serving meals and chatting to the clients, both regulars and new faces. Lunch was chicken with couscous and beans plus a cabbage slaw. Vegetarian option was a delicious quiche (I can vouch for it!) Desserts were either cheesecake or chocolate cake with cream. Not many takeaways today as so many clients turned up for lunch.

This morning’s early shift found me in the kitchen- carrying out various chores to help with lunch. And doing lots of washing up! The team had been busy preparing food parcels and setting up the tea/coffee table. But there’s always lots to do in the kitchen on Fridays 😊

It was a busy lunchtime at the Soup Kitchen today. Chef Arul cooked delicious spicy noodles with chicken or tofu for the vegetarians. Over one hundred guests sat down to a hot tasty meal and there was plenty for second helpings and takeaways. I was on serving duty today and really enjoyed seeing so many old faces. It’s not just the food but the social interaction that is so important and makes the Soup Kitchen such a special place.

I moved from serving teas and coffees to helping with the lunch service - chef Andrew had made a delicious bolognese pasta bake. There was a vegetarian option and both were served with salad. Dessert was fruit crumble and custard. Andrew got lots of compliments including from me as I sampled a portion - and got the recipe from him! There was a constant flow of clients joining us for lunch so the kitchen crew were kept busy. It was nice to get lots of ‘welcome back’ from the regular clients and makes me realise how much I enjoy volunteering at ESK.

It was great to be back at ESK this morning after a long break - I started the day at the tea and coffee station. There was a great demand for cereal today - Rice Krispies were especially popular. The cold weather meant that the guests needed warming up with hot drinks and we refilled the tea and coffee pots several times.

Friday Hub and a wet day!!When I Steph Ducat arrived, James was already at the church to help - We are early birds. Then Chandrima turned up all the way from Tower Hamlets. Then Chandrima asked about someone famous : who was famous ? Was it James as 007, Anthony Kelly the mayor of Ealing who was present today, Sonna(our volunteer singer) or someone else? She said are you the famous Steph? Then understood when explained and yes it was Steph who goes to different areas and does alot of exercises as her fellow goodgymers at Camden mentionned!! We are all famous in the volunteering world!!Apart from that James was helping with the grocery bags, Chandrima wrote the menu on the board and helped set up in the dinning area, whilst Steph Ducat was in the kitchen assisting the other chefs prepare todays food.