A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting one of our newest social value partners in the Thriving Communities initiative, part of our wider Giving Back strategy – the incredible Cook for Good. What an inspiring visit it turned out to be.
Cook for Good is a social enterprise with one powerful mission: to ensure that no community goes hungry. They work tirelessly to tackle food insecurity, health inequality, social isolation, and barriers to work through an extensive and inclusive community programme. From affordable weekly food shops to cooking classes and job training opportunities, they’re helping families, individuals, and couples of all ages put good food on the table.
The heart behind the organisation
Upon arrival, I met the lovely Karen Mattison, who co-founded Cook for Good with Robinne Collie in 2019. Karen shared her inspiring story of wanting to give back to local communities by creating a community kitchen that could connect local people and local businesses through shared food experiences.
We then walked to The Pantry, where I met Emma Stewart, the Development Director. Sitting amongst neatly stocked shelves and chatting over the hum of friendly conversation, Emma explained how the pantry works.
How the pantry works
The Pantry is a vibrant community hub at the heart of a local neighbourhood. For just £3.50 a week, members can collect a food shop every Thursday. Each person receives 10 tokens to exchange for 10 items of food, and fresh produce tokens stretch even further, with one token getting you 3-5 portions of vegetables or fruit.
The shelves are stocked with a variety frozen, chilled, and cupboard staples and even options for those with dietary requirements like gluten free or dairy-free items. Each Thursday, members are greeted by smiling volunteers who help make the pantry a welcoming, judgement free space.
More than just food
The hub is divided into two spaces, the pantry itself and a cosy chill out zone where members can enjoy a hot drink, a bowl of soup, and the company of neighbours and friends. This safe, warm space helps combat loneliness and offers people the chance to connect.
Cook for Good also runs free cooking classes and courses, including:
- Grub Club for older men
- Community Brigade training and work experience in catering and hospitality
- Weekly surplus food pantry and soup café
- Regular community meals
I’ll admit, I felt emotional while sitting there, witnessing first hand just how much this work means to people.
Supporting families all year round
School holidays can be especially challenging for families who rely on free school meals. Cook for Good helps ease this burden by providing summer food boxes and extra support during half term and Christmas breaks.
Cook for Good: Teambuilding events with social impact
Cooking for a cause
One of Cook for Good’s most exciting offerings is their Cooking Team-Building Programme, an initiative that gives organisations of all sizes the chance to make a real difference while strengthening their own teams.
The concept is simple but powerful: corporate groups spend the day in Cook for Good’s professional kitchen, rolling up their sleeves to prepare delicious, nutritious meals. These meals are then shared with the wider community or turned into carefully packaged meal boxes that go directly to local families in need.
It’s not just about cooking, it’s about connection. Teams work together in a fun, hands-on environment, learning new skills while also seeing the immediate impact of their efforts. From stirring soups to plating dishes, every action helps put food on the table for someone who might otherwise go without.
There are multiple packages available, meaning organisations can tailor the experience to their size, schedule, and objectives. Some choose to make it part of their corporate social responsibility strategy; others use it as a unique away day that leaves colleagues feeling inspired, bonded, and proud.
And the best part? The people you’re cooking for are often just down the road – making the impact deeply local and personal. It’s a rewarding reminder that a single day of teamwork can create ripples of kindness across an entire community.
Cook for Good - Corporate Team Building events with social impact!
Soup for the soul (and the stomach)
In 2024, Cook for Good published Soup for Good, a beautiful collection of recipes and stories from their community. The book sold over 6,000 copies in its first three months and even received praise from actor and foodie Stanley Tucci, who called it “the only book you’ll ever need” if you love soup.
Cook for Good is more than a community project, it’s proof that when people come together over food, they can build stronger, kinder, and more resilient communities.