Companion Stewart is our Community chef. He takes a great pride in his work and Companions are full of praise for the delicious meals he provides every day.
Stewart writes: -
"I left college after my first year, though being very practical I was lazy on the academic side so I decided to go straight into the catering business. I spent my first three years working with French, German and Spanish chefs producing cuisine based on classical French recipes. My training has encompassed all departments of the kitchen.
My career has spanned over forty years and in that time I have worked in all types of establishments all over Great Britain and Southern Ireland. The majority of those jobs were interesting and furthered my knowledge, the rest often made me wish I had chosen another occupation.
I did two years' work on coastal fishing trawlers out of ports in North Wales, and for a time served as Cook/Steward on Oil Tankers between Ireland and England. I have always been the type of person that will give anything a try from learning how to build fibreglass cars to cutting cauliflowers in Cornish fields. My hobbies have always involved the practical from restoring classic cars to salvaging neglected boats.
I consider myself to have had a very interesting and full life, though it has had its low moments. Over the past few years my life had been gradually going downhill as the job offers dried up. You apply and hear nothing or you are asked if you can lift the heavy pots. In a round about way you are told you are too old.
How did I come to be in Emmaus? By a great stroke of luck I had a job in Margate and found myself being bullied and threatened with violence and I became depressed. So one day I walked away, I had five pounds on me and with that I got a ticket on the bus to get as far away as possible. I came as far as Brighton and through various agencies I came to Emmaus.
To have come from an atmosphere of fear and anger, to suddenly find oneself in an environment of care and compassion is quite a pleasant shock to the system. I have always taken a path in life to see where it may lead. At the moment I have all I need, to have my efforts appreciated is reward enough. I can feel my self-confidence returning and this is all down to the staff and Companions at Emmaus. I still have ambition though in which direction is not yet clear. I do know that without Emmaus I would be much less of the person I am now."
Emmaus Brighton & Hove, Drove Road, Portslade, East Sussex, BN41 2PA
Tel: 01273 426470
Email: contact@emmausbrighton.co.uk
Emmaus Brighton & Hove is a community of Sussex Emmaus
Sussex Emmaus - Charity: 1053354 Registered Company: 3130876
