There were two GoodGymers in the kitchen at FoodCycle this evening, both in need of some mental maths as Martin and Gill tried to work out how many packets of mince pies made 100. When they get hot and bothered in the kitchen the old grey cells don't work as quickly as normal. Martin was also using his maths brain to treble up quantities for a vat of his special custard, while Gill was working out how many litres of cream were required for 60 portions of potato dauphinoise. The Goodgymers, OMar, Moamal amnd Dee on the hosting team had less maths to do out front, as there was plenty of food to go round, so it was an easy job to ensure all the guests got a portion of the three course tonight - a vegetable frittata for starters, potato dauphinoise and veg for main, and delightful mince pies and custard for pudding. They were also able to enusre all guests got a generous goody bag as Gill had done a great job with her hubby in collecting a large quantity of surplus form the supermarket yesterday.

At this weeks Foodcycle session, Gill collected some surplus food from the supermarkets and I got stuck in with the kitchen team. We created a 3 course meal making good use of lots of carrots, sweet potato and other veggies. I made a carrot and sweet potato soup for starter and we all chipped in with chopping and preparing a main of Sweet potato topped veggie cottage pie, with Brussels and cabbage (the wind was strong in Luton that evening). There were lots of cakes donated so Dessert was quite straight forward and everyone got a nice slice of chocolate heaven. There was a little bit of drama in the kitchen as I dropped a couple of plates, they smashed and I got the inevitable shouts of "wahay"" from the rest of the kitchen team. All in all it was a great session and over 40 locals went home with full stomachs and a bag of goodies.

Well done team 👏

FoodCycle was full of Festive Cheer tonight as it was the last meal before Christmas. Martin and Gill joined the cooking team again who cooked up a delicious Christmas dinner: frittata with some star garlic croutons to start; roasted quorn with roast potatoes, stuffing balls, veg and onion gravy for the main course, and a trio of mince pies with custard for dessert. Omar and Dee helped set up the hall with flowers, poinsettias and reindeer to get the festive vibe, and were delighted to serve our guests who seemed to really enjoy tonight's meal. Well done team, now we have a well earned break from FoodCycle for the next two weeks.

GoodGym and FoodCycle were on fine form today, with another delicious meal served up to who knows how many guests. The plates just kept leaving the kitchen and hosts kept asking for more.

Martin and Gill were again in the kitchen - their favourite place to be - and the mushroom soup, burgers in buns with sides, and cake and custard all went down well with the guests.

Dee, Moamal and Omar were front of house and able to help keep the plates flying out of the kitchen. Well done team, hard work tonight but it was all worthwhile.

Another busy evening at FoodCycle and well done to the team from GoodGym who helped make it happen.

Gill had been on food collection and between her and hubby Tim they collected an amazing array of food, and with what the church had left us there was too much to choose from.

Martin and Gill joined the cooking team and were soon steaming up the kitchen as pans of soup, a vat of chilli, and fruit compôte were bubbling away on the stove. The meal was also complimented with a fresh salad, and baked potato and finished off with a bread and butter pudding.

Once again Omar, Shady and Moamal were on hand to set up the room and serve the guests. Shady and Gill got an upper body work out in as they loaded Gill's car with crates for her to return to the supermarket while Omar got stuck into a sink full of soapy. water to clean the dishes.

There were lots of happy guests, and many complimented the volunteers on such a nice meal and pleasant venue. mAnd they all got to take home two bags of produce from the food left over.

Well done Team.

And especially well done toMoamal who has helped at FoodCycle a few times now, but has never signed up as a GoodGymer.

It was a chilly night, but this didn't deter three of our GoodGym regulars, who were on hand to support at FoodCycle.

Gill did a. double wammy as she was asked to help with the surplus collection at Sainsbury's as the volunteer on collection duty hadn't anticipated the crates and crates of bananas and other produce they had for us.

Back at the church, having unpacked the produced she was joined by Martin and the others in the kitchen team and were soon chopping mixing and cooking up a storm. Gill was on pudding duty and with some help from Martin soon whipped up 4 delicious banana upside down cakes.

Martin was also helping with chopping the peppers and other veg for the baked rice main course and helping with the soup. He always cuts a dash, but in his super stylised blue hair net, who could fail to admire his style and flair. :-)

Omar was soon in the hall and started setting up and was great at serving guests and washing and clearing up.

We think we served over 50 guests and no one went home empty handed or with an empty tummy.

Another great meal served, and GoodGym's help is always much appreciated.