Celebrity Chef Joins Pevensey Lunch Club For Festive Celebration

(c) Rosemary Shrager

Diners at a Pevensey lunch club enjoyed a festive treat after being joined by celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager for a special Christmas event.

The TV chef spent the morning with volunteers and members at the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) Pevensey Bay Lunch Club, taking part in the charity’s Our Festive Spread campaign, which aims to bring people together during the Christmas period so no one has to eat alone.

Rosemary Shrager described the visit as a heart-warming experience, praising the sense of community at the lunch club and the smiles shared over a festive meal.

The chef, who is an ambassador for the campaign, helped cook a traditional Christmas lunch complete with all the trimmings, before joining guests for food, conversation and festive fun.

She has previously spoken about understanding loneliness herself and said the campaign is about creating welcoming spaces where people can come together and feel supported at what can be a difficult time of year.

Lunch club regulars say the sessions provide much more than just a meal.

Many look forward to the chance to socialise, meet new people and enjoy the friendly atmosphere created by staff and volunteers.

The Our Festive Spread campaign is run by the Royal Voluntary Service for older people across the country.

Research by the charity shows more than a million older people receive no invitations to eat with others over the festive period, with many saying loneliness can feel worse at this time of year.

Alongside the Pevensey Bay Lunch Club, the Royal Voluntary Service also runs a twice-monthly lunch club at the Ethel Wood Community Centre, offering a warm, social space where people can enjoy a home-cooked meal and some company.