New ‘cook and share’ programme at YMCA

Together with Arlene Thompson from Sainsbury’s Try Team, members of Parents and Kids Together (PAKT) arranged a cookery class and a follow up fundraising cookery demonstration in aid of the local YMCA group.

The free Sainsbury’s ‘Cook and Share’ class was held last Wednesday at the YMCA building on Irish Quarter West.

During the two-hour session, the group learnt how to cook family-friendly recipes, taking the culinary delights home at the end of the class.

The participants will then pass their recipes on to other members of their groups, thus sharing the recipes and cookery skills with the wider Carrickfergus community.

Recipes will also be displayed on the community board within the Rodgers Quay store, and participants will have the opportunity each month to win the ingredients for the chosen dish.

PAKT programme facilitator Mo Shearer said: “We are delighted that Sainsbury’s have created this project for us. The PAKT programme is a family initiative and this is giving our families the opportunity to gain real skills that will benefit their whole family.

“I look forward to continuing our partnership with Sainsbury’s in the future.”

Bea Cox, Sainsbury’s Carrickfergus Store Manager added: “We are aware of the great work carried out in the Carrickfergus area by the YMCA and were delighted to have received a tour of the new premises on Irish Quarter West.

“We discovered fantastic kitchen facilities and recognised immediately that we could help in showing the local community how to Live Well for Less.”

The fundraising cookery demonstration is to take place on Wednesday March 26 at the YMCA premises.

Tickets are available direct from the YMCA at a cost of £3 per person.

All funds raised will go directly to the YMCA to help continue the Cook and Share programme.