DINNER guests were transported to Paris when volunteers wearing berets served them range of gourmet French delicacies in Cirencester.
Around 50 people tucked into a three-course meal, which was supported by Côte Brasserie and Knead Bakery, in St Peter's Parish Hall in Cirencester on Sunday, April 28.
The delightful evening was organised by Community Kitchen volunteers who have been hosting monthly free three-course meals at the hall for anyone in need of a warm meal or fellowship.
Community Kitchen meals are organised and funded by parishioners from three churches - St Mary’s in Cricklade, St Peter’s in Cirencester and St Thomas’s in Fairford - in our area.
At the most recent event, the hall was adorned with black, white, pink and gold decorations to create a sophisticated ambience.
For starters guests were offered a selection of canapés including cherry tomato confit crostini made by Anita Barrett of St Mary’s and a delectable coq au vin made by Meliny Tim of The Kitchen Club for mains.
A generous donation made by an anonymous couple from St Thomas in Fairford covered the costs of the first two courses.
For dessert Côte Brasserie, a popular French restaurant in Black Jack Street, donated chocolate mousse, a selection of cheeses and non-alcoholic beer.
In addition, Knead Bakery put forward a show stopping raspberry and vanilla Paris-Brest, a French dessert which features a choux pastry ring filled vanilla cream and raspberry compote.
Kris Biggs from the bakery said: "We are delighted to participate in this charity dinner as it presents a wonderful opportunity for us to support our local community.
"As a French patisserie, it's particularly meaningful for us to contribute to events that celebrate French culture.
"We believe in the power of community events to bring people together and create lasting impacts."
Since October 2023, the Community Kitchen has served more than 400 meals at eight themed dinners which have been supported by restaurants and independent business owners in our area.
Melissa Spagnoli, founder of Community Kitchen, said: "I am so grateful for the support of our local restaurants and businesses.
"Fellow parishioners from our local Catholic community have also worked so hard behind the scenes to fund, host, cook and serve the meals.
"These dinners are a culmination of the local community working together to benefit."
Upcoming events include a Mad Hatters Tea Party in late May/early June and a Flavours of Greece evening in September.
The dinners are free to attend and no booking is required.
Request to join the Community Kitchen in Cirencester Facebook page for more information.
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