Having made meals for many hungry sailors during his time in the Royal Navy, helping to feed 40 residents at Longlands is not something that gives Jimmy Clare much food for thought!
As our Kitchen Assistant at Longlands, Jimmy assists our two cooks, helping in the preparation of the residents’ meals, washing up and generally ensuring our kitchen is ship safe and Bristol fashion.
It’s something which comes natural to Jimmy, a trained Chef who has worked in kitchens since joining the Navy aged 17. He has also worked in restaurants and pubs throughout his career so is fully used to catering on a large scale.
Jimmy says: “I work three days a week and really enjoy helping out in the kitchen.
“The cooks know they can rely on me for support or to step up and help even more if one of them is away.
“One of my regular jobs is making the sandwiches for the residents’ tea or getting the tea and biscuits ready for them during the day.
“The kitchen faces onto the garden, so it’s not uncommon for them to ask me to pass a cuppa to them through the window.
“It’s lovely speaking to them and hearing their stories, and knowing we are doing an important job in ensuring they get nice home-cooked meals, snacks and refreshments each day.”