Wolverhampton City Council has opened a community kitchen at Dovecotes in Pendeford as part of its Pocket to Plate initiative. The kitchen aims to help residents cook nutritious meals on a budget and learn new cooking skills.
Community chefs Prince and Simon, based at the WV10 Consortium, will run cooking sessions at the kitchen. At the launch event, Prince demonstrated beef fajitas to show residents what the kitchen will offer. Both chefs already post weekly recipes on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube as part of Pocket to Plate, alongside TikTok personality Mitch Lane.
Training and Drop-In Access
The kitchen will operate in two ways. Residents can attend structured cooking sessions led by the community chefs, or simply use the facilities independently to cook, socialise and eat without spending large amounts. There will also be opportunities for residents to train with Prince and Simon and gain qualifications.
A Community Shop Coming Soon
A community shop will open at Dovecotes in the coming months, allowing residents to buy quality produce to cook in the kitchen. This shop will be the latest addition to a network of similar facilities created across the city by the council and its partners in recent years.
Council Support
Councillor Stephen Simkins, Leader of the Council, attended the launch. He said: "Food is the foundation upon which a good and healthy life is built. It's also what brings us together and gives us so many joyous times with our friends and loved ones. I was so impressed with the community kitchen and the opportunities it offers to our residents."
Nikki Rolls, Dovecotes TMO Chief Officer, added: "We are delighted to see the community kitchen open for residents. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together, support families to cook healthy meals on a budget, and create a welcoming space where the community can learn, share and connect."
Funding
The kitchen is a match-funded project from the Government's Crisis and Resilience Fund, which supports families in financial crisis and helps build long-term financial resilience.
To find out more about Dovecotes community kitchen or get involved, contact Tian Currie, Resident Engagement Officer, at the Dovecotes former Tenant Management Organisation building.