The Feast from the Yeast
Dear friends,
Just one week into Food Academy Plus, our employability programme for those looking to start a career in the catering industry, the new recruits have been through some gruelling exercises in the kitchen under the supervision of Chef Cassie.
Now that baking week is upon us, our budding chefs will learn the difference between a phyllo dough and choux pastry, prepare a selection of focaccia breads and present a pistachio frangipane. If you want to see them in action, visit our Community Kitchen on Friday from 6:30pm and enjoy a meal in the company of new friends.
For their final assessment, we’re launching our first pop-up restaurant of the year on Saturday 31 March 2018, serving a delectable 5-course menu painstakingly prepared by our new chefs.
If you’d like to be one of 40 exclusive guests to the restaurant, all you need to do is log-on to our Facebook page here and write a review explaining how Sufra NW London is your favourite charity.
It’s Back – #FoodParcelChallenge 2018
Ironically, many of our new chefs have experienced food poverty – there’s no frangipane on offer at the Food Bank. But what does that feel like?
We’d like to give you the opportunity to experience food poverty, for just 5 days, and help us raise awareness of food poverty (and some much-needed funds to keep the Food Bank open).
The #FoodParcelChallenge will take place from Monday 7 May to Friday 11 May. In advance, we’ll send you a typical food parcel and your task is to survive exclusively on its contents. No croissants for breakfast, no M&S sandwiches for lunch and no chance of picking up a curry on your way back from work. Have you got what it takes?
Now’s your chance to find out. Take the #FoodParcelChallenge and register here.
Supermarket Collection – Asda Wembley Park
Yes, unfortunately, another supermarket collection. We hate them. They’re exhausting. Especially when there are few volunteers to help out, and Saba, Nirmean and Fahim have to stand outside Asda in Wembley Park from 10am to 10pm begging for donations of food.
But we have no choice. Our stocks are depleted. I wonder why we rent a storage facility when it’s empty most days. Food Bank referrals have gone up by a staggering 40% and we’re just not coping. Give the team a few hours of respite, and volunteer on Saturday/Sunday 24/25 March 2018 and help us ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Sign up here.
Refugee Placements at Lamabuild
We’ve partnered with our newest corporate sponsor, Lamabuild, to offer free work placements for Syrian refugees in the construction industry to help them back into work.
Lamabuild will provide training and coaching to help refugees improve their English language skills, become familiar with health and safety regulations and acquire work experience to assist them in finding suitable employment.
To support our Refugee Appeal and help resettle more families fleeing conflict, donate here.
Growing Club
Now that the beast has fled, our Wednesday and Sunday Growing Club is open, running from 10am to 2pm. There’s a lot to do, after the winter mess, and lots of seedlings that need transposing from the polytunnel to the raised beds.
If you’re up for muck, you can also help clean out the chicken coop, whilst Sami dedicates some time to his revision. Or so he says. He’s still annoyed with me because I confiscated his toy gun.
Save the Date
Sufra NW London’s 5th anniversary celebrations launch on Thursday 26 April 2018 from 6:30pm with a Dinner Party and Awards Ceremony. Registration will open on 1 April 2018 for members of the public and with only 300 free tickets available, be ready to sign up.
And finally…
If you’ve got this far, it means that you’ve got way too much time on your hands. We’re currently recruiting for an Operations Manager (£25,000-£28,000), so if you’re an experienced manager, check out this link.
Have a great week.
Yours,
Mohammed S Mamdani
Director
