Kate Wadmore’s mother Janet was an excellent cook, in both the culinary sense of the word and in the support that she gave to this Company.
As a child I grew up knowing that there would always be delicious, home cooked meals on the table with cakes and biscuits for tea and wonderful home made lemonade in the summer. She gave me the wonderful gift of knowing that the best meals are made with love from fresh ingredients, and that nourishing those around us is an important and satisfying task.
For a period she also ran a successful catering business with a friend and was the force in the kitchen behind a local deli, specialising in quiches and cakes to order that won fans across the area.
As everyone is probably aware, she provided constant support to my father over the almost 60 years that he was an active member of the Company, including his two terms as Master. This was most visible in her presence as she accompanied him at numerous Company events and functions representing the Cooks. She very much enjoyed these, particularly those involving young people, and was grateful for the opportunities it gave her.
Less visible perhaps was the support that she, and all our partners provide, behind the scenes. She made sure my father’s suit was clean and ready for each function, picked him up from the station after dinners when he’d had maybe a little too much port and simply got on with looking after the home and family while he was out and about. I hope we are all as grateful to our partners for what they do for us as they deserve.
Less visible still, certainly to me while she lived, was the support and friendship that she gave to so many other Masters’ ladies as they prepared for their big year. I have been very touched since her death to hear from several who told me what strength and encouragement they had taken from her unassuming but steadfast kindness and encouragement. That was my mother all over, always kind and thoughtful, but never seeking the limelight.
Sadly, she was diagnosed with bulbar onset Motor Neurone Disease last summer. This initially affected her ability to speak and then to eat, at which point we contacted the wonderful MND Association who amongst other resources sent us their cook book. As I opened it for the first time, I saw that it was produced with the support of the Cooks’ Charity. This may have seemed a small contribution when it was given, but as someone who has had to worry about how to feed a loved one suffering from this cruel disease I can tell you that it made a very big difference. The recipes are far from the fine dining that we experience when we are together, but my, what a help it is to find recipes that are tasty and digestible when eating – which we see as a joy – has become such a struggle.
Janet died just before Christmas, and so there is one less excellent cook in the world. We give thanks for her life of love and service.
