VISIT TO CORONA KITCHEN, CORNMARKET HALL, KETTERING BY TRH THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF WESSEX ON 8TH SEPTEMBER 2021
Kettering’s ‘Corona Kitchen’ – operated by a team of volunteers to make sure no one in the town went hungry during the Covid pandemic – has received the Royal seal of approval.
Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited the town on Wednesday 8th September 2021 to say thank you to those who helped make a big difference during the past 18 months.
Corona Kitchen was set up in March 2020 when the lockdown forced the closure of all but one of the soup kitchens and places where those in need could get help.
Initially it started with handing out hot meals and sandwiches from outside the Eden Centre in Montagu Street, before moving to the Cornmarket Hall and then Fuller Baptist Church Cafe.
Corona Kitchen operated with hot meals being cooked on the premises, packed into take away boxes and served at the door, taking into account all the necessary Covid protections.
Each take-away bag consisted of a hot meal; a sandwich; a bag of crisps; a cake; and a drink. Volunteers prepared vegetables for the following day, as well as sandwiches and cakes for the take-away bags. More than 30,000 meals were given away during the lifetime of Corona Kitchen.
Dr Frank Rodgers, who, along with his wife, Hilary and restaurant owner, Shaun Sedani, set up Corona Kitchen, said: “I’m honoured that we have received Royal guests and for the interest they have shown in the project – it was a wonderful visit.
“Corona Kitchen was only possible through the kind-hearted action of the volunteers and our generous donors and I’d like to thank everyone for making it happen.”
