Awards for two local food organisations
Main picture: Jane Kippax, Andrew Chong and Jane Chong from Step and Stone Bakery – with the Winner of Winners and Best Initiative trophies at the Crumbs Awards ceremony. Picture courtesy of Crumbs Magazine.
Two Knowle West food organisations based at The Park Centre have triumphed at the prestigious Crumbs Awards this month.
Step and Stone Bakery – which works with young people with learning disabilities – won the Inspiration category and was then pronounced Winner of Winners.
And charity Square Food Foundation (SFF) gained the trophy for Best Cookery School for the second year running.
Now in its third year, the Crumbs Awards, held at the Bristol Old Vic, have been created to celebrate the local food scene and “recognise the people and businesses behind it.”
There is stiff competition from across Bristol, Bath and the surrounding area – with businesses hoping to be named the best in the local industry within 19 different categories.
Step and Stone
Step and Stone was started by Jane Chong and Jane Kippax, who both have a child with Downs Syndrome, and wanted to raise perceptions about people with learning difficulties.
The social interest company which moved to The Park in May 2017 produces handmade lavosh flatbreads. It helps the young people achieve the skills and confidence to gain employment in the mainstream catering industry.
At the award ceremony the judges said: “Step and Stone brings confidence and pride to people passionate about learning culinary skills all across the region. A hard-working team using food to change lives.”
Co-founder Jane Kippax said: “We were so completely surprised and delighted to bag the Winner of Winners Award, it’s such a huge boost for our work raising the profile of the great capability of our young bakers, everyone is very excited!”
Square Food Foundation
SFF delivers free and subsidised cookery courses and workshops for charities, schools and community groups.
The team works with children, families and staff to “transform food culture and tackle food poverty.”
On receiving the award, Square Food Operations Manager, Eloise Morton thanked the presenters, Crumbs magazine and all of Bristol for helping make the cookery school a success since its move to Knowle West in 2011.
She said:“Winning this award for two years in a row is a huge honour – especially against such stiff competition.
“We couldn’t be more delighted – it’s another sign that we’re on the right track. Food education is for everyone, not just the few. Everyone has a place at the table.”
Square Food runs a 12-week training programme, How To Be A Chef, in partnership with Bristol 24/7, to help young people who are not in employment, education or training get into the food industry.
The charity’s longest running programme, Back in the Kitchen supports older adults who are at risk of being lonely or isolated
For more information about Step and Stone visit http://stepandstone.co
To find out more about Square Food Foundation or book a course visit www.squarefoodfoundation.co.uk
