BOUQUET OF THE WEEK Refugee centre’s thanks to chefs

A GROUP of chefs who cook for more than 100 people at a refugee and asylum seeker centre every day are the winners of this week’s South Wales Echo Bouquet of the Week.

Boudicca Stretton Brown is the kitchen manager at the Oasis centre in Splott, Cardiff, and has been nominated on behalf of the whole kitchen team.

Boudicca, 31, from Splott, has worked at Oasis for more than a year, and helps coordinate the team of five to provide more than 100 lunches every day.

Oasis director Reynette Roberts said: “I nominate the volunteers in the kitchen who have suffered much in life but serve all with a smile, kindness and a sense of humour.

“They are willing to do anything and work hard providing over 100 lunches every day.

“They are a positive asset to the new community they are integrating into.”

Boudicca is joined by a team of refugees and asylum seekers from across the world in the kitchen, using whatever ingredients they have to hand.

Mum of three Boudicca said: “Oasis is a chaotic place and you have got to have your head screwed on cooking for all these people.

“But it’s really nice to see their [the chefs] confidence improve.”

She added: “What we make depends on what we get in. We are just winging it on the day really.

“It’s a lots of chicken and rice normally.”

Oasis aims to help refugees and asylum seekers integrate into Cardiff, and offers language classes and womenonly activities.

Each month the kitchen and centre becomes a pop-up restaurant, where one of its clients or kitchen volunteers cooks a traditional meal from their country and teaches guests about the history of the dish.

If you know someone who deserves an Echo Bouquet of the Week, email your nomination, with reasons, and your name, address and telephone number to newsdesk@walesonline.co.uk. You can also write to South Wales Echo, Six Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR. Usual Media Wales terms and conditions apply and all nominees must agree to be photographed.