Big C Cookery Workshop

Big C cookery workshop

On Thursday 16th March, a group of people with a cancer diagnosis and their supporters, enjoyed our Big C cookery workshop, at the Charles Burrell Centre in Thetford.

Big C has recently collaborated with chef and Life Kitchen founder, Ryan Riley, to create Essential Flavour, a cookbook with a selection of delicious and cost-effective recipes to help cancer patients and their families who are struggling through the cost-of-living crisis. It comes as a shocking OnePoll survey* finds that 55% of cancer patients think they will struggle to pay for food this year. A second report found that seven in 10 people living with cancer are now facing unexpected costs averaging £6,500 per year.

The workshop guests cooked two of the recipes from the book, spicy bean quesadillas and peanut butter granola bars.

“I enjoy cooking and nourishing myself with good food. This has been a lovely way to spend a morning. I’ve never used miso as an ingredient before and so I shall now try to use that in my own cooking!”
HELEN, WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT

Julia, who has breast cancer, attended with her husband, Keith, who does most of the cooking in their house. Julia said, “This is a lovely opportunity to meet people who are in the same situation as you. Keith has taken such good care of me and I have been lucky through Chemotherapy to have still been able to eat well. Orange juice did taste very strange for a while though!”

Keith said, “I will try some of the other recipes from the book too. I love to support Juilia through my cooking and it helps to reduce some of the stress from a difficult situation.”

Essential Flavour

The new bright and engaging cookbook features 15 budget-friendly recipes, costing from as little as 58p per person to make.

There are 5,000 printed copies of the free book (£3 P&P fee applies) available from the Big C website or www.lifekitchen.co.uk or can be collected from Big C centres in Norfolk, including the Charles Burrell Centre.

A free online download is also available.

Download your free copy

“The cost-of-living crisis is a huge concern for everyone across the entire country, particularly those living with cancer. We created Essential Flavour because we wanted to do something to help, to try and relieve some of that anxiety for people living with cancer. All the recipes have been created with cost in mind, but they’re still full of flavour and delicious.”
RYAN RILEY, LIFE KITCHEN CO FOUNDER

Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, multi-award-winning writer, broadcaster and supporter of Life Kitchen has written the foreword for Essential Flavour. He said, “This is an important, compassionate and hugely useful book which recognises the impact of the cost-of-living crisis upon our most vulnerable in the UK. It’s dreadful to hear that when facing a cancer diagnosis, many are more concerned with how they will afford to eat…I’m sure that it will serve as a vital resource for those that need it most.”

A picture of some delicious food made by a Big C volunteer.

Dr Melanie Pascale, Director of Charitable Operations at Big C said, “We’re increasingly hearing from people who are in a difficult financial situation, on top of the profound challenge of cancer. We hope our cookbook offers both practical help and reassurance for those that need it most.”

A picture of somebody holding a drink in a white mug.

The approach of the inspirational team at Life Kitchen echoes Big C’s holistic ethos towards cancer care and the charity’s Nourish & Nurture nutrition and wellness programme for cancer patients going through treatment.

Big C Support Sessions take place at the Charles Burrell Centre every Thursday, in the Engine Room café 9am to 2pm.

*Full OnePoll survey on behalf of cancer support charity, Maggie’s can be viewed here.