Cupcakes and quiche bring generations together

Children at a summer cooking program at Braintree Salvation Army spent a day learning new cooking and baking skills, preparing quiche and cupcakes from scratch. 

They designed their own menus and learned the importance of clearly communicating ingredients when preparing and serving food. The following day they returned to serve the food they prepared to members of the church and charity’s ladies’ group. The project gave the children the opportunity to develop their confidence, learn new skills and bring different generations together. 

Budding chefs as young as eight and nine were shown how to make cupcakes and quiche. As well as baking, they got to make new friends and have some fun along the way. 

Aspiring young cook Luna said: “I didn’t realise know how to bake quiche and I’ve learned loads of new skills. I liked serving the adults, I’ve made loads of friends and had a really good time.” 

The young people served up a tasty lunch of quiche and salad, cupcakes and choice of beverage. 

The young chefs were praised by members of the ladies’ group including Pauline, 71.

She said: “I think it’s a brilliant way of bringing old and young people together. I used to work in catering and can say the food was brilliant, ten out of ten.”

Captain Rachel Hepburn leads The Salvation Army in Braintree and said she was proud of how every child rose to the challenge.

She said: “The children came into their own, taking on tasks and taking pride in them and the older people enjoyed being served and were inspired by what they saw.”

Braintree Salvation Army runs activities for the community throughout the week including a coffee morning and table top sale on Wednesdays and a Carer and Toddler Group on Friday morning.