A Kindness Kitchen is due to be launched by The Good Heart at the start of next month, in partnership with local chef Jo Harrison.
The kitchen will be open to everyone five days a week, serving home-cooked, plant-based and vegetarian food.
“The Good Heart is excited to announce this new initiative,” says founder Alison Murdoch. “Jo is passionate about offering food for all ages. She also shares our commitment to providing pay it forward meals and free hot drinks for anyone who wants to come in from the cold over the coming winter. There will be a particularly warm welcome for families, with a low-cost, child-friendly menu, and for anyone on a gluten-free diet, with a range of home-baked gluten-free mains and cakes on offer every day.”
The Kindness Kitchen will be open from 11.30am to 3.30pm Tuesday to Friday and from 10am to 3.30pm on Saturdays.
Alison said, “French press organic coffee at just £2 per cup will be available throughout the day, along with homemade treats such as Spanish almond cake, apple and cinnamon flapjacks, gooey brownies with hazelnuts, and lemon polenta cake.
“Before midday, there will be brunch dishes such as creamy mushrooms on toast, while Jo’s filling and wholesome lunchtime offerings will include soup of the day, house hash, seasonal vegetable fritters and her famous toasted cheese sandwich with salad and homemade chutney, all priced at £6 to £10. Puddings range from baked apples to seasonal fruit crumbles and poached pears and Jo will also be serving her homemade fruit cordials.”
Chef Jo said, “The Kindness Kitchen is for everyone who believes in the power of wholesome food and a warm and friendly space to lift our spirits and bring people together. It is also a way of supporting the local community. Whenever possible, ingredients will be organic and locally sourced from providers such as Hobbs House, Dowdings and Frome Field to Fork, and we will be joining the Loop recycling scheme. My food approach is to make joyful dishes, using seasonal food where possible and minimising waste and the use of plastic. Everyone is welcome – please pay us a visit!”
Along with the Kindness Kitchen, over the winter The Good Heart will be introducing a new community table in the café area for anyone who might enjoy a bit of company and conversation.
“We are looking for volunteers to staff the community table during café opening hours,” says Alison. “Is this something you might enjoy? If so, please contact us at welcome@thegoodheart.uk or come and find out more at our World Kindness Day celebration from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday 13th November at the Silk Mill. You can book your place at www.thegoodheart.uk.”
