Liverpool looking after its own, I commend you.

Yesterday I visited the Can Cook Studios to find out how they’re getting on with their mission to teach Liverpool to cook. The idea is that they show community leaders/workers basic cooking so that they can pass the skills on to people affected by Food Poverty or those who simply haven’t got a clue how to throw a cheap and nutritious meal together.

The lovely Rebecca (pictured with me and Mr Chef, above) patiently answered my million and one questions about how to get to the people who really need to learn the skills. You see, the problem I have is that most of the people who are accessing the Food Bank here are actually working so it’s difficult for them to attend organised sessions.

Hopefully, by the end of the month I’ll have funding in place so that as well as cooking at nurture groups, community centres etc I’ll also be able to go to people’s homes and show them how to knock up a few tasty basics while making their dinner.

The second picture, by the way, shows the contents of my goody bag from the lovely Stuart Donaldson of Merseyside Recycling &Waste authority who has ploughed squillions into supporting projects like this in Liverpool. Excellent recipe booklet on cooking take-away type meals. I do like a bloke who puts his money where his mouth (and the mouths of the starving) is/are. Here’s he, with me.

It took me forever to find the venue and I was very tempted to spend the night at the fabulous Day’s Inn where I stayed last month for Zoe’s birthday. £59 for a fantastic, newly refurbished room with breakfast and a pizza dinner for two people. Bloody marvellous value courtesy of Groupon.

The view of the Mersey from our hotel room.

Zoe eating pizza that was bigger than her head.

Excellent breakfast choice.

We love Liverpool. Every time we go we meet at least five completely mad, hilariously funny Scousers who we want to take home. Even the nasty ones are funny – like the lady manager of the ‘French’ restaurant of the Adlephi. But that’s another story.