A new Caring Cook joins the kitchen

Sunday 08 January 2017

A local charity aiming to make healthy living a staple in Jersey children’s educational diets is ringing in the New Year with a new Chair.

Steve Harvey, a previous Chief Executive of Jersey Hospice Care, has worked in roles spanning the health, education and charity sectors. But now he’s joining Caring Cooks of Jersey – a charity that has been working to make nutritious food a part of islanders’ daily life.

Mr Harvey will oversee the work of both staff and volunteers, helping to raise awareness and develop partnerships, as well as establishing a supportive board of Trustees to ensure the continued success of the charity.

Describing Caring Cooks as a “vibrant and vital charity”, Mr Harvey commented: “I look forward to helping the staff and volunteers at Caring Cooks of Jersey evolve and deliver excellent work. Caring Cooks makes a real difference to people's lives.”

Created by Melissa Nobrega in 2014, Caring Cooks has grown into a lively team of over 60 volunteers supported by four full and part-time staff members. At present, their work ranges from a weekly meal service for families in need to teaching school children how to grow their own food from seed in the Roll Out of the Kitchen Garden project.  

“It is remarkable how much has been achieved already, Melissa's vision, passion, determination and sheer hard work has made a real and tangible difference to people in Jersey. We will build on this and ensure that Caring Cooks goes from strength-to-strength,” Mr Harvey added.

Ms Nobrega – the charity’s Chief Executive - welcomed Mr Harvey to the team: “A lot has been achieved in the past three years, but with the strong vision and leadership Steve brings to the charity, we are looking forward to being even more successful. We aim to have the Kitchen Garden Project in all States primary schools by 2025, as well as grow our other educational programmes, and with Steve as Chair and a strong Board of Trustees, I am confident we will achieve this and more.”