A Tale of Two Quarters
Post-Coronavirus thoughts for the future
From here to eternity (almost) and back again in one piece
Liveryman Graham Craddock almost personifies Coronavirus. He left for a trip to Vietnam in early March with his wife, Mary, when the infection appeared to belong to a distant country. Put into isolation shortly after arrival he sent jokey messages that reflected the mood in the government. Not long afterwards he was fighting for his … Continue reading "From here to eternity (almost) and back again in one piece"
Annual service with politics and some food for thought
Brexit Day was clearly a time of mixed emotions across the country but for one Cook it was – perhaps literally – a God-given opportunity. Britain’s day for leaving europe coincided with the annual Candlemas service. It provided Company chaplain Rev Keith Powell with a natural theme that, combined with the 75th anniversary of the … Continue reading "Annual service with politics and some food for thought"
What next for society
Double Your Money – How the Cooks have boosted their charitable giving
The Cooks Company has doubled areas of charitable giving by matching donations with cash from a City & Guilds fund that reflects a low point in the Livery’s history. The City and Guilds of London Institute was founded in 1878 by the Corporation of the City of London and 16 livery companies to protect and … Continue reading "Double Your Money – How the Cooks have boosted their charitable giving"
House of St Barnabus – Centre for Exuberance and Pride
All graduation ceremonies are joyful and many inspiring but I have never been to one quite like the one at House of St Barnabas on 4th December 2019 for sheer exuberance and pride in collective achievement. It was a mixture of inspirational speeches from former graduates, teaching staff and the graduands themselves. Some brilliant poems … Continue reading "House of St Barnabus – Centre for Exuberance and Pride"
Lakefield – Addressing the future through a focus on the past
Lakefield is one of the most intriguing of the matched funding recipients. A small college set up in a then-faded part of north London to train domestic and institutional female staff it could be argued that it has spent most of its time playing catch-up. It was founded by Opus Dei, the controversial Order set … Continue reading "Lakefield – Addressing the future through a focus on the past"
New City College – Cash for computers, catering kit
Two years ago, an additional City & Guilds sum became available for new projects. The Cooks Charity Committee put their thinking hats on and following some discussion with organisations they have supported for a long time came up with a proposal to apply for matched funding to buy 14 PCs for the Hospitality Centre, Hackney … Continue reading "New City College – Cash for computers, catering kit"
Pembroke lecture cancelled
Weavers Song – The Origins of Livery (Modern Major General)
Some light entertainment courtesy of the Weavers’ Company, performed by Tony Saunders. Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, of course (The Major General’s Song from The Pirates of Penzance) and thanks to Alderman Prof Sir Andrew Parmley for the words. And a nod to Tom Lehrer too! The Weavers Song – Words (Allegro vivace)The origins of … Continue reading "Weavers Song – The Origins of Livery (Modern Major General)"
The Cream of the Crop
Cooks’ Prize Winners
Chloe’s Farm coming to a back garden or waste plot near you
Chloë Dunnett won the Cooks award for best dissertation, having embarked on a career change after a previous life as a senior civil servant in central government. After six months working full-time at a ten-acre biodynamic farm in Herefordshire, living off-grid in a shepherd’s hut, she has started a new venture: creating a farm comprised … Continue reading "Chloe’s Farm coming to a back garden or waste plot near you"
Toulouse Sausage Stew
Speed-dating and mocktails give London school children a taste of the possible
The second tranche of the Cooks education programme has gone from strength to strength with a record number of secondary school pupils attending the most recent event. Although only in its third year the Showcase Event, which brings together Year Eleven students from London schools and potential employers has slotted in seamlessly with the long-running … Continue reading "Speed-dating and mocktails give London school children a taste of the possible"
From feeding the Army to supplying the country
The organisation that Liveryman Nigel Shepherd heads provides food to the military across the globe. Now he is feeding soldiers sailors and airmen and women from his spare room. Defence Food uses key contractors to supply food for our Armed Forces, primarily those on Operations or Exercise, within the United Kingdom and throughout the world … Continue reading "From feeding the Army to supplying the country"
The way we were then and the way we are now
As Coronavirus has worked its way across the country frequent references have been made to war-time conditions, particularly World War Two. On the other hand, few people, even among the mature ranks of the Cooks, have actually been around long enough to give a first-hand account. One of them is the wife of twice-Past Master … Continue reading "The way we were then and the way we are now"
Meat begins to fight back
Not just a waste of thyme – The Ugly Butterfly Review
I was shocked to read the statistic the other day – it made the national press – that one third of ALL food produced is wasted, from farm through the supply chain and onto our plates, or into our bins. My son Will suggested for my birthday treat we try a restaurant which uses leftovers … Continue reading "Not just a waste of thyme – The Ugly Butterfly Review"
‘Mr Ritz’ pays tribute to the founder of new classic cuisine
John Williams, executive chef at the hotel and Cooks freeman, knew and admired Michel Roux, who died earlier this year. Michel Roux was 78 when he passed away, the younger brother of Albert and a significant part of the most formidable and influential family within the restaurant scene in Great Britain. The Waterside Inn, Bray, … Continue reading "‘Mr Ritz’ pays tribute to the founder of new classic cuisine"
