Ian our new catering Manager introduces himself:-

 

"I was a professional chef in hotels and restaurants all over the country for 20 years and for the last few years  worked as an agency chef. Then I got a bit disheartened, retrained as a book keeper and worked for two and a half years at Southlands Hospital, cooking as a weekend job at the YMCA in Portslade. 

 

Working in an office was good experience and I’m glad to have the knowledge but it wasn’t really for me. When  my fiancee and I saw the job at Emmaus advertised  we thought it was just what I wanted . After five and a half years working at the YMCA I have experience of people in vulnerable situations and I wanted to get back into catering and may -be do some good. 

 

My first week at Emmaus has certainly been interesting!  But fortunately with more highs than lows. It was a bit of a shock on my first morning to find a big hole where the  stove should be and the fryer out of action because the extractor fan has to be replaced and re-positioned. Poor Joel (our business manager) was really apologetic and not surprisingly we aren’t doing a great deal of hot food.  However, thanks to the team in the cafe, we put together a menu and we are adding to it daily so that there is a reasonable selection of food for the customers.

 

It is a bit of a cliché to say so, but almost everyone has been really friendly and helpful and there is a genuine sense of Community. I’m impressed by the way everyone is always trying to improve things. 

 

Based on my first week, I’m very happy to be here. I’ve enjoyed my work enormously and look forward to making changes in the menus for the cafe and the Companions’ dining room. Hopefully I’ll be able to get on with a project of my own- a beginners’ cookery class for Companions in the evenings.  And anything else I can think up! "