Live cooking demo with Jon Watts Raises over £1,000 for Community Pantry

Jon Watts' cookery demonstration at Poggenpohl. Photo: Claire Lane

08 Apr 2025

Posted at 15:09 in St Albans

The St Albans Community Pantry hosted a special live cooking demonstration featuring local chef Jon Watts, bringing together food, storytelling, and community support at Poggenpohl in London Road.

Supported by Fleetville Larder, the evening showcased how simple, delicious meals can be created quickly while highlighting the crucial work of the charity in tackling food insecurity.

Jon spent time in prison before finding his passion for cooking through their rehabilitation programs and mentorship from Jamie Oliver. Alongside the cooking showcase, the St Albans Community Pantry presented its award-winning film shedding light on the challenges faced by many families and how the charity works to support them.

With 35 guests in attendance, the event successfully raised over £1,000, providing vital funds to further the charity’s mission of closing the loop between food waste and food insecurity.

The St Albans Community Pantry operates as both a food bank and a food rescue initiative, collecting surplus food from supermarkets and redistributing it through community fridges and bread pantries. The charity also provides weekly fresh produce boxes to vulnerable individuals and families in need.

Photos by Claire Lane.

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