Food lovers are being invited to enjoy the flavours of Italy while helping support a vital community initiative at a special fundraising cooking demonstration in Ayr next month.
Mangia! An Italian Summer Feast will take place on Saturday, 15 August, from 10am to 2pm at Riverside Church, 24 John Street, Ayr, with every penny raised going towards Riverside Community Trust’s Care & Share programme.
The event will be hosted by chef, food editor, Riverside Community Trust trustee and owner of Ayr’s Supper Club on Miller, Gill Hyslop, who will guide guests through a relaxed and interactive Italian cooking experience.
More than just a demonstration, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in preparing the dishes, learn professional cooking techniques, ask questions throughout the session and then sit down together to enjoy the meal they have helped create.
The seasonal menu has been inspired by traditional Italian cuisine and includes garden focaccia, handmade cavatelli with pesto alla Trapanese, an Italian fennel, red cabbage and citrus salad, followed by a classic tiramisu. Guests will also receive a recipe booklet to take home, packed with the day’s recipes, cooking tips and Italian kitchen secrets.
Gill Hyslop said: “Food has an incredible way of bringing people together, and that’s exactly what this event is all about.
“I want people to leave feeling inspired to cook these dishes at home, having learned a few new techniques along the way, while knowing they’ve also helped support the important work Care & Share does every week in our community.
“Italian food has always been one of my greatest passions because it proves you don’t need complicated recipes to create something truly memorable. With good ingredients, a few simple techniques and a table full of people to share it with, you have everything you need. If guests leave with a little more confidence in the kitchen – and a full stomach – we’ll have achieved exactly what we set out to do.”
The Care & Share programme has become a vital source of support for many people across Ayr, providing hot meals, practical assistance, companionship and access to essential services through Riverside Community Trust and its partner organisations.
Organisers say every ticket purchased will directly support the charity’s ongoing work helping local people facing hardship while creating opportunities for connection, dignity and hope.
Tickets are priced at £30 per person and include the four-hour interactive cooking demonstration, hands-on participation, professional chef’s tips and techniques, a freshly prepared Italian lunch, tea, coffee and water, plus a recipe booklet to take home.
Places are limited and advance booking is essential.
To reserve a place, contact Jim, Secretary of Riverside Church, by emailing help@riversidecommunitytrust.org.uk or calling 01292 262686, or contact Lizzie Adrain, Operations Manager at Riverside Community Trust, by emailing lizzieadrain@riversidecommunitytrust.org.uk or calling 07803 843851.N