A catering business hit by Covid cancellations wants to donate unused gourmet food to a local charity this Christmas.
Strawberry Field Catering in Keynsham has had several events cancelled in the past ten days, including three weddings and a huge works party for 300 people. Another large corporate event for January has also cancelled already.
And now a wedding for 100 people due to take place this weekend has cancelled at the last minute, leaving the catering firm with the problem of what to do with the unused food.
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Owner Gary Fisher says that although the bride and groom of the cancelled wedding this weekend have paid for the food and 20 portions of the meal will still be going to the family, he still has 80 portions to give away.
“We only had 48 hours notice so we had bought all the food and prepared it ready to go on Saturday.
“Last Saturday, the party of 300 that cancelled contacted three local charities including food banks, collected the food and took it away to distribute.
“For this cancellation, I will go with my chefs and serve the food to people who need it.
“I’ve struggled to find many charities who can do this at such short notice and time is of the essence as the food is fresh and ready to go.
“The other option is that I could put it in the freezer and put an event on for free at a later date.”
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Gary says the luxury meal would normally cost around £60 per person and includes rack of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes, port and redcurrant jus, with chocolate chestnut torte for dessert.
The latest cancellations are the latest blow for the catering firm, which like many other hospitality businesses has suffered during the pandemic.
Struggles of pandemic
Gary says it has been the worst time in the 37 years he has run the business, which specialises in large corporate events and weddings.
“We’ll get some money back on these cancelled events but the whole covid year has been the worst year ever, especially mentally.
“We’ve been doing double the work because it’s mostly weddings and we only have half the staff - everyone’s worked their socks off.
“From a mental point of view, I couldn’t cope with what we’ve gone through again and I wouldn’t want my staff to either.
“If I thought next year was going to be like this, I would close the business now.”
Any local charities who are interested in taking Gary up on his offer of the free meals should contact: gary@strawberryfieldcatering.co.uk
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