Food for thought

Drop-in for homeless

Usually on a Friday night you would find me in the pub with my pals, but a few weeks ago I decided to do something a little different.

I headed along to the Hamilton Churches Drop-in Centre on Beckford Street, where every single day they open their doors to provide a hot meal for someone who needs it.

Whether they are homeless, struggling to make ends meet or just need the company, volunteers take time out their day to cook them a threecourse meal from scratch.

The first Friday of every month is ‘The Curry Kitchen’ and the team work under Mohammad Hussain, who previously worked in Hamilton’s Bombay Cottage, to give people a taste of something a little different.

When I arrived, preparations were already underway in the packed kitchen. Volunteers were chopping, peeling, marinading and prepping – and already the whole venue smelled incredible.

The meal consisted of spinach and red onion bhajis to start, followed by tandoori chicken glazed with honey with tomato and pilau rice, tumeric potatoes and black pepper chappatis and cinnamon poached pears for dessert. All ingredients used on the evening were provided by the Bombay Cottage.

As everything started to come together, an orderly line of people had formed outside.

After a few hours of preparation, I was really surprised at how well everything was timed and how it all fell together – as whenever I’ve tried to cook more than

Helping hands Volunteers at the Friday night‘curry Kitchen’with reporter Kirsten Mcstay

Preparations Mohammad explains the plan of action to Kirsten

Team work Evelyn Ann Wilson and Kirsten prepare the marinade