FOR many folk, the prospect of spending a Saturday morning chopping up mushrooms isn’t one to put a spring in the step.
But a trio of dale teenagers couldn’t imagine anything better than knocking them up into a big pot of soup.
Mia Dowson, Willow Daniel and Grace Perkins can also turn their hands to everything from mouth watering vegetable lasagne to delicious fruit crumble pudding.
The three Teesdale School students give up their time on a weekend to help out in the kitchen at the TCR Hub, preparing tasty fare for those the dale who receive the community centre’s food and care packages.
The voluntary work also gives them valuable experience at a time when practical cookery sessions at school are off the menu due to the Covid alert.
And during the recent lockdown, it was also the only time they could meet up outside the classroom.
The link between community centre and school came about thanks to two former teaching colleagues.
Rachel Tweddle, chief executive at The Hub, explained: “I used to teach with Katie Swinburn, the girls’ teacher, at Staindrop School.
“I knew she had moved to Teesdale School so I got in touch to see if anyone wanted to come down and help.”
Mia, Willow and Grace, all aged 14, stepped forward and have been cooking up a storm for the past couple of months. All three are studying GCSE food technology.
“We are not allowed to cook in school this year, so this is giving us good experience,” said Grace.
What’s on the menu each week very much depends on what goods have been donated to The Hub.
When the Mercury called, the students were chopping their way through a mountain of mushrooms which were destined for the soup pot. Mia said: “We enjoy it and it’s the only time we get to meet up out of school, which is really good.
“It’s also good that what we make goes to somebody who needs it.”
No matter what the future holds in the wake of the latest lockdown, all three said they were keen to carry on cooking at The Hub.
Ms Tweddle said the trio’s efforts were appreciated.
“I think it’s amazing. It is rare to get young people who are able to use their initiative can solve problems quickly and can appreciate what to do with the food.
“They are very good and work under their own initiative. It is lovely to have interested young people come here.”
To find out more about The Hub’s food and care packages, go to www.tcrhub. co.uk.
