Chefs at work; keeping social distancing measures and higher level hygiene protocols
S.H.I.N.E. (Support, Help in Nourishing Everyone) is a new food initiative started at the start of the COVID 19 Crisis in Brampton by a group of volunteers who wanted to help shine some light and help those struggling financially and physically during COVID 19. Although independent, S.H.I.N.E. is part of the Brampton Area Action Group (BAAG).
Working with Carlisle Food Bank,and Carlisle Meals on Wheels, S.H.I.N.E.s’ initial focus was to help get food parcels and meals to those in need in Brampton and the surrounding area. However, they quickly realised that as the crisis grew, more help to more people would be required. Especially those in isolation within more rural villages and hamlets unable to cook for themselves or who couldn’t afford the additional expense of a meal delivery service.
S.H.I.N.E. are lucky to have found two very experienced chefs on their doorstep. One of the chefs, Keri Tipler, moved with her family to Cumbria at the age of 2, settling just north of Walton before moving to Brampton over 20 years ago. “Cooking has been very much a part of my upbringing, from growing the produce to learning to cook with my Mum” said Keri. Keri’s initial career took her to London where she worked in event catering for a number of years. However, having developed a taste for travelling, living in Australia and Mexico, Keri headed to France to join the super yacht industry. For the last 10 years she’s worked on yachts ranging from 30m to 90m and more recently working as a private chef.
Keri’s work has taken her all over the world, but her home base is usually Antibes, in the south of France, where she has been unable to return due to Covid19 travel restrictions. “Luckily, visiting family when COVID 19 Crisis lockdown happened in France has allowed me to appreciate being back in Cumbria during spring, getting back out running and gardening. At the same time giving back to the community, using my professional skills volunteering for S.H.I.N.E. preparing hot and frozen meals to those who need a little extra help, has been really rewarding.”
Jake Evans, SHINE’s other chef, hadn’t thought of having a career in cooking until he started working at The Near Boot in Carlisle. “I was in sixth form and just wanted to earn some money to get me through university, however I found I was really enjoying cooking.” It was at that point Jake decided he didn’t want to follow an academic career but pursued his love of cooking taking a post at the Quarter Lounge and Lounge on the Green where he first started in fine dining. After that he moved to The Crown and Mitre for nearly a year. However, his love of fine dining has led Jake to take up his new role at Seaham Hall (5 AA Red Star hotel, 2 AA Rosette) in the North East where he has been working since November 2019. He loves the diversity stating that “… we do a range of food from simple sandwiches and buffets to afternoon teas and the fine dining restaurant.”
Mike Kane, the Manager of S.H.I.N.E. said that “The team had at the start of the COVID 19 Crisis concentrated working with Carlisle Food Bank and Carlisle Meals on Wheels, whilst ensuring DBS checks were in place along with getting a number of staff trained in food hygiene. SHINE is registered as a food business with Carlisle City Council and have management plans to ensure they are compliant with current COVID 19 regulations. It’s been a lot of work but it’s important that these measures are in place so the project is a sustainable one that can meet the needs of our community beyond the immediate COVID 19 Crisis.”
He went on to praise SHINE’s volunteer team of dedicated drivers who have been on hand from day one to deliver hot meals from Carlisle Meals on Wheels and Carlisle Food Bank parcels, together with administrators, baggers, IT specialists and others all working tirelessly to meet growing demands.
SHINE has also contacted the schools in the area to ensure families, who may be struggling through Covid 19 and the subsequent financial difficulties it brings, are able to get a helping hand if needed. Something that many of us would not have expected to be happening three months ago. Mike Kane also emphasised that the aim for the project is to provide a volunteer service in the community for the duration of the Covid 19 Crisis but also to continue into the future to meet the needs of communities in Brampton and Beyond for many years to come.
You can help to support the project by donating food, pet and hygiene products to S.H.I.N.E at Brampton Community Centre all day on Tuesday and Thursdays and on Saturday mornings. Monetary donations can be done by BACs transfer (sort code 60-83-01, Account No 20260451, Ref : Shine) or call the S.H.I.N.E. Help Desk on 01697927005 for further details.