Digital marketers swapped their computers for chopping boards when they volunteered to cook lunch for dozens of people at the YMCA Derbyshire.
Five members of staff from JDR Group gave up their morning to prepare a two-course lunch on Friday as part of the YMCA’s monthly community meal, which it offers in partnership with the Head High mental health organisation.
The chefs – John Skidmore, Ashlesha Wargantiwar, Sophie Teece, Emma Ablewhite and Rhys Laven – planned and prepared the meal from scratch, serving up a meat and vegetarian chilli with jacket potatoes, followed by fruit crumble with custard.
The community meals have become a popular event at the YMCA, with a different local company volunteering to cook them each month.
It was the first time that JDR Group, which served around 80 people last Friday, has taken part in the event and John, who is head of client development at the firm, which is based in Stephenson’s Way, on the Wyvern Business Park said everyone enjoyed the experience.
He said: “We’re a big team at JDR Group, so it’s good to see how our staff get on and co-operate in a different environment, as well as to meet people in the community who we wouldn’t normally come into contact in our working lives.
“Our team have done really well, helped by the fact that Rhys is an ex-professional chef. It’s been great to see him step into a leadership role, and the food has gone down extremely well too.”
Debs Powell, YMCA Derbyshire’s Head of Marketing and Communications, said: “The community meal is all about giving members of our community the chance to have a free warm meal and a chat.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the JDR Group team for getting involved and cooking a delicious meal. The generosity of local businesses and organisations allows us to continue to provide support to people that need it most.”
