Watch: Cork eateries rally to support Penny Dinners and feed the city's most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic
The River Lee Hotel, Cork are helping Cork Penny Dinners during the covid-19 corona virus global pandemic.Covid-19 corona virus global pandemic public health measures. Social distancing, face masks etc in use in the kitchen at the city centre hotel.(rear) Paul Lane, Head-chef and (front) Oisin Collins, sous-chef working on the meals for the Cork charity. Approx 120 meals are prepared each day in the hotel kitchen for the local Cork charity.Pic; Larry Cummins.
Roisin Burke
FROM fast food to bar food, fine cuisine, to home baking, Cork businesses have been rallying around those most in need by making meals for Penny Dinners.
Burrito bar Boojum, South County pub, Apache Pizza, Halal takeaway Lavish, Chinese restaurant Royal Palace and the River Lee Hotel are all involved in the efforts of Penny Dinners to keep Cork fed.
Delivering between 400 and 500 dinners daily, with reduced volunteers to allow for social distancing, Penny Dinners coordinator Caitriona Twomey there are four or five people doing the work of 20 at the moment and demand is higher than ever.
As well as cooking dinners in Penny Dinners, Ms Twomey said a number of different restaurants and food hubs have offered to help keep Cork people from hunger.
The River Lee Hotel, Cork are helping Cork Penny Dinners during the covid-19 corona virus global pandemic.Covid-19 corona virus global pandemic public health measures. Social distancing, face masks etc in use in the kitchen at the city centre hotel.Oisin Collins, Sous-chef working on the meals for the Cork charity. Approx 120 meals are prepared each day in the hotel kitchen for the local Cork charity.Pic; Larry Cummins.
“People have been really good to us, we have had massive support from the River Lee Hotel, South County bar, Boojum, Lavish, Apache Pizza, Royal Palace and others. Ms Twomey said the River Lee Hotel was cooking up dinner and dessert meals to die for.
General Manager at The River Lee Hotel, Ruairi O’Connor, said it had been heartbreaking to close their doors in March but the hotel was happy to be able to help such a worthy cause.
“Since closing, our team at The River Lee have been inspirational in the ways they have sought to support each other and the local community in these difficult times.
The River Lee Hotel, Cork are helping Cork Penny Dinners during the covid-19 corona virus global pandemic.Covid-19 corona virus global pandemic public health measures. Social distancing, face masks etc in use in the kitchen at the city centre hotel.(front) Pastry chef Ema (EMA = OK) Vondra, with (rear) Paul Lane, Head Chef and Oisin Collins, Sous Chef working on the meals for the Cork charity. Approx 120 meals are prepared each day for the local Cork charity.Pic; Larry Cummins.
“Over the years we have forged a strong bond with Caitriona Twomey and Penny Dinners and since the pandemic came to Cork, the team have been delivering freshly prepared, nutritious meals to the Penny Dinners base four times a week.
“Meals consist of a nutritious main course and a pudding, which are then distributed by Penny Dinners to those most in need. We are more than happy and totally committed to helping where we can to support those who are most isolated and vulnerable in our city.”
