Has anyone else noticed all the people who have headed back to the kitchen during the COVID environment? It seems that current restrictions have led people to unleash their inner chef and Facebook is full of people returning to home cooked meals and experimenting with all sorts of culinary creations. Even some of our own club members are involved in kitchen capers with Sunday biscuit baking. So I thought I’d share some stories with you from a few recent deliveries I arranged to friends and family with whom I would normally catch up for meals or a cheeky chardy. First, let me introduce you to the wonderful people at Prestige Foods. Mike Murray and Leonie Brasier are the drivers of this fabulous business. They are creators and distributors of high quality food and produce. Their “Stocks Matter” brand is divine (and gluten free..Yay!!) These are the products I have been sending out in hampers to brighten someone’s day. Leonie was a Rotary exchange student to Finland in the 1980’s, which I remember very vividly, and this led her to a Rotary membership in later years.
These days Leonie is a volunteer First Responder in Blackwood and both she and Mike are great contributors to those in distress or hardship in a number of different ways – too many to recount here. Let’s just say they are great business and community people. Last year as we prepared for our Melbourne Celtic Festival fundraiser Prestige Foods was a major sponsor and were providing the breakfast which was to get the festival off to a roaring start. As we all know, we fell short of the COVID curse by 4 days but we are preparing for 2021 and Prestige Foods will once again be a valued supporter of the event.
I have been so thrilled with the responses I have had to my little “Heavenly Hamper” efforts. It’s a bit different to flowers or chocolates and people have really enjoyed the idea of using these high quality products in their family cook-ups.
- One family sent photos of home made hummus and paella they made together.
- Another friend said that she had really been struggling with her role in aged care and the hamper brought her such joy and her children wanted to gather together and create something special for the family meal.
- One family member who had suffered a bereavement is going to use the goodies to have a family meal when they can so they can celebrate the life of their loved on together.
These are just a few responses - but it shows that every little kindness can mean a great deal to people during these difficult times.
It really is true that food brings people together and if you would like to show someone you are thinking of them then I highly recommend the Stocks Matter hampers for something a little bit different and at the same time supporting a wonderful local business.
So, enjoy your kitchen adventures and as W.C. Fields and I agree – Cook with wine, and sometimes even add it to the food!
Sue Foley