A NEW cookbook will help people with additional needs get busy in the kitchen.
Thanks to funding from the University of Reading, the Maymessy is a reality. Packed with recipes, it has been devised by Style Acre, an organisation that supports people with learning disabilities and autism throughout Oxfordshire and runs a cookery school.
The two organisations have been working in partnership for two years to provide safe, inclusive cookery sessions where people with learning disabilities and autism learn how to prepare nutritious food from home-grown ingredients, from local suppliers, or from local food projects.
The idea for the cookbook was a share the recipes used in the classes and inspire others to try them out. But the cost of producing 250 copies was a barrier.
With help from Claire Newbold, student experience and employability lead from the school of mathematical physical and computational sciences at the university, they applied to its Community Fund initiative.
Style Acre’s full funding request of almost £1,900 was provided by the university, and the finished copies distributed to people supported by Style Acre and other charities and schools that support people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire.
Anita Powell, ways to wellness manager at Style Acre, was thrilled to see the books made a reality.
“The main aim of our collaboration with Maymessy has been to improve the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities through supporting their cookery skills and understanding of nutritious, healthy food,” she said.
“The recipe book is an extension of those sessions, and compiles tried and tested recipes featuring the people we support and their views on how learning to cook healthy foods has benefitted them.
“We hope that by sharing the memories of our time with Maymessy and the skills learnt in this recipe book, we can help more people to continue eating well and living well.”
The book has clear instructions and pictures to go with each recipe, as well as quotes and pictures of some of the people who have benefitted from these cookery classes.
Jamie, a member of the Style Acre community, said: “I have learnt more recipes and new skills like learning how to chop and grating. I have tried new things like celeriac soup. I have enjoyed everything and I am loving cooking here.”
The Maymessy recipe book can be purchased online or is available in Childrey Stores on Childrey High Street, Oxfordshire.
