Farmers served up a big thank you to Hope Kitchen volunteers at the weekend.
The three course dinner on Sunday coincided with a campaign celebrating Scotch Lamb.
Lauren Worrell who is regional manager for NFU Scotland in Argyll & Islands enlisted the help of Argyll Exclusive head chef Mike Knowles to treat Hope helpers and supporters to a slap-up meal in recognition of the time they willingly give to run the food bank, community café and gardens.
A lamb from A & G MacPherson at Saulmore Farm, just a couple of miles from Oban, was sourced and Mull Abattoir squeezed it into their busy schedule. The lamb got a lift over with a farmer who already had his ferry journey booked and dropped it off.
“Community spirit at its best. As luck would have it, we were able to get the meat back over to the mainland with Euan Warnock, a NFU Scotland group secretary and NFU Mutual agent who had been over on the island for business,” added Lauren.
Chef Mike got the lamb in time to butcher and prepare it and wholesale grocers JM Breckenridge in Oban provided the vegetables to go alongside it.
To complement a pumpkin pie for dessert, Wee Isle Dairy from the Isle of Gigha came up with the goods in the form of its Mocha Staccistella ice cream.
“A special mention must also go to Sybil MacPherson and Andy Bevis both local farmers and Christopher Knowles for their help on the day with everything from scrubbing pots, plating food and serving the tables,” said Lauren.
Volunteers and supporters left with a Quality Meat Scotland Scotch Lamb t–shirt, recipe cards and a wee pot of Don’s Dessert Sauce from Wee Isle Dairy as a reminder of the day.
Hope Kitchen service manager Catriona Petit said: “It was fantastic to be able to treat our volunteers, staff and supporters with a delicious meal. This time of year is particularly busy and it was lovely to get together and be served locally produced, seasonal food. We are really well supported by our community and it was really good to find out more about local farming and produce. Thanks to the NFU and Argyll Exclusive for a brilliant afternoon.”