Community kitchen opens to teach healthy eating

A new community kitchen has opened in Wolverhampton enabling residents to eat well, learn new skills and recipes on a budget, the city council said.

The Dovecotes community kitchen in Pendeford will also host sessions with two community chefs to help residents to "eat well without spending a fortune".

A shop is also planned so goods can be bought on site to use.

Visiting the council-supported premises, City of Wolverhampton Council leader Stephen Simkins said it was "vital" to ensure residents could access good-quality food at reasonable prices, especially in difficult economic times.

The kitchen is part of the council's Pocket to Plate initiative, which aims to educate residents on nutritional eating and is a match-funded project from the government's crisis and resilience fund.

Community chefs including TikTok chef Mitch Lane already post weekly recipes on Pocket to Plate on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to inspire residents, the council 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," leader Simkins said.

"I was so impressed with the community kitchen and the opportunities it offers to our residents.

"I hope it will become a strong part of the local community, helping residents learn about and enjoy good food and happy times no matter what their financial circumstances."

Nikki Rolls, Dovecotes chief tenant management officer, said the team were delighted the facility had opened.

"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."

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