Message from our founder
What started as a simple response to a crisis, preparing meals from my flat during the first COVID lockdown, continues to grow in ways I could never have imagined. Cooking Champions remains a lifeline for our community in Enfield, and I am so proud of what we have built together.
This year has been one of growth and resilience. We are seeing increasing demand, with more families and individuals turning to us for support each week, many facing the cost of living crisis, housing insecurity and isolation. Our kitchen is a place of warmth, dignity and connection, where people feel a sense of belonging.
In 2025, we have continued to grow through cooking lessons, community events, new partnerships and the early development of our community garden.
None of this would be possible without our incredible team of staff and volunteers, who show up week after week with care and commitment. As the need grows, so does our determination to create long-term impact by providing not just food, but skills, confidence and opportunity.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year.
Clare
2025 in numbers
We provided 12,744 food parcels, we made 7,126 meals, we hosted 100+ cooking lessons, we welcomed 600+ visitors to CC, powered by 30+ active volunteers.
Why our work matters
Cooking Champions is based in Enfield, surrounded by wards of significant social deprivation, where many people face ongoing challenges including insecure housing, financial hardship and isolation. Demand for our services continues to grow, highlighting the urgent need for accessible, nutritious food and consistent community support.
We are seeing more families, individuals and young people turning to us each week - often navigating multiple challenges at once, with limited support elsewhere.
For many, Cooking Champions is more than a place to eat. It is somewhere to feel welcome, to build confidence, learn new skills and connect with others in a safe and inclusive space.
This is why our work goes beyond emergency food provision. Our mission is to provide food support, education and training through our community kitchen - creating long-term, sustainable impact and empowering people to feed themselves and their families with confidence.
As demand continues to rise, so does the importance of this work.
