The judges said Melissa Nobrega is a true inspiration who has made a significant difference to people in Jersey since setting up the charity Caring Cooks Jersey.
Melissa set it up in February 2014 to help families who were either struggling financially or through illness and make sure they could all sit down together and enjoy a nutritious home cooked meal.
The charity has now helped support more than 50 families through times of crisis and it now runs a pop-up kitchen every week selling homemade meals for as little as £1.50 and
Melissa is delighted to have won this year’s award.
She said: “Simply knowing that I inspire just one other person is fantastic, but to have been nominated, shortlisted and to go on and be awarded Inspirational Woman of the Year is incredible.”
She is now working on a school project to teach children the importance of eating well.
Melissa said: “Caring Cooks, is just about to launch our Kitchen Garden Project with Samares Schoool on Friday, where we will be working with the pupils, Santander, who are funding the project, the National Vegetable Society and the parents, on a ‘plant to plate’ project.
“I can’t wait to see the garden transformed in to a place where the children want to spend time, learn where the food comes from and really get immersed in growing their own fruits and vegetables.
“We have lots of plans to potentially run more classes, aimed at younger students and we will be running practical programmes with Samares School to get the children producing healthy and tasty meals. It’s going to be an incredible year for us.”
Melissa was presented with her award by sponsors Barclays at this week’s International Women’s Day breakfast supporting Jersey Women’s Refuge at the Radisson Blu hotel.
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Fosse, who has played a key role in tackling child sexual exploitation on the Island and Cheryle Raphael, Chairman of the charity After Breast Cancer, were this year’s runners up.
