Chatsworth chefs serve up 1,200 meals for Matlock food bank to help families in crisis at Christmas

Estate chefs are currently delivering 150 meals a week to the Jigsaw Food Bank. Operated by Church in the Peak.

Head of catering Chris Bailey-Jones said: “Being able to provide a service that plays to the strengths of our team at such a challenging time has been wonderful.

“We’ve all felt that by taking a little extra time in our working week we’ve been able to do something that really makes a difference to the local community.”

More than 4,000 meals have already been provided to those in need since the initiative began in April.

Chatsworth initially contacted the food bank looking to donate produce unlikely to be used in its restaurants due to the lockdown.

Since then the team in the Carriage House Café kitchen, who usually prepare meals for visitors, have instead been serving up frozen portions of cottage pie, lasagne, macaroni cheese, and risotto, and many other family friendly recipes.

The service has been made possible by funding from Chatsworth alongside personal contributions from a number of individuals connected with the estate via the Devonshire Group community forum.

Chaired by Lord Burlington, son of the Duke of Devonshire, the forum was set up at the start of the Covid pandemic to reach out and support local communities.

Andrew Lavery, chief executive of the Chatsworth House Trust, said: “As part of our commitment to our shared future we have been looking at how we can work with our local communities, and also help in the fight against the coronavirus.

"Donating to the food bank to help support families in these difficult times is important and we hope to continue this throughout the winter months.”

Jigsaw food bank supports households across across the Peak District who are unable to provide for themselves due to loss of income, employment or benefits.

If you are in need of help, call 0300 456 8390 or 01629 773023, or email [email protected].