“I was a Lismore Base Hospital baby, grew up in Wardell on a cane farm and I live in Alstonville now. I’m in Year 10, play a bit of guitar and go to the gym with my Dad.
Dad and I were looking for something like this to do. You know, volunteer work. That’s how I ended up working here at The Winsome. We had been working here for a couple of weeks and Steve who used to work here asked if I wanted to learn to cook. Steve has since left because his life got busy but he taught me everything I know. When I started here in October last year I didn’t have any cooking experience. He used to tell really bad jokes and I never really knew if he was joking or not. He was a really nice guy. He used to give me books to read. I have a couple still, one on Philosophy and another on health.
I work here in the Soup Kitchen every Saturday. I cook lunches. I usually cook for 60 to 70 people, some are homeless and some might just need a good meal. I make quiches, a bacon one and a vegetarian one. I cook all the vegies, gravy and mash, coleslaw and other things. Cath comes in and does the sandwiches so they can take them home and eat them for dinner if needed. Dessert is usually fresh fruit salad and ice cream. I start about 7am usually and finish at about 1pm.
It’s a bit of a running joke that I always cut my fingers. They say I won’t have any fingers left by the time I finish. Dad comes in sometimes when I’m cooking and gives me a hand but he works here Fridays which suits his schedule better.
There are some characters in the kitchen. Jenko wears these ridiculous goggles when he’s cutting up the onions. It’s hilarious. I couldn’t do it on my own. Gabriel comes in and helps with the dishes, makes the slaw. Sharon, she’s a really good manager and does all the shopping. Bronwyn also comes in and manages as well and keeps everyone organised. Ben helps with the clean up. The coffee here is awesome. Jenko helps too.
I worked last Christmas Eve because that’s when Saturday fell. My sister helped out and we made truckloads of sandwiches. The hash brown and egg ones were really good. I started when I was 15 here and I turn 17 on New Years Eve. One time someone came in and gave all the homeless free haircuts. It was so good. I got a buzz cut as well. I feel good doing this. It feels good helping people.”