Mindset Bros has launched a new culinary club in Newport, giving Island men the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and enjoy cooking together.
After months of planning, fundraising and hard work, the very first Mindset Bros Culinary Club has officially taken place, and what an incredible evening it was.
The idea came from one of Mindset Bros very own Paul Thorley, an Island businessman, marathon runner and passionate cook, following a conversation about finding new and different ways to bring men together. Not every man wants to meet in a pub, play sport or join a gym.
Paul combined his love of running and cooking by completing the Berlin Marathon in a personal-best time of 3 hours and 55 minutes, raising more than £2,500 to help launch the Culinary Club.
Just 2 weeks later, Paul and 7 other men stood together in the training kitchen at Pan Together in Newport, using equipment that Paul’s fundraising had purchased.
The theme was ‘Kebab Shop Fakeaway’, with the men working in pairs to create homemade chicken kebabs, lamb doner, fresh flatbreads, salad and yoghurt-based accompaniments.
Some of the men arrived having never used an oven or hob before. They left having prepared a complete meal from scratch and knowing they could recreate it at home.
It is not simply about cooking. It is about connection, friendship, achievement and helping men realise what they are capable of.
The Mindset Bros Culinary Club will take place every 6 weeks, welcoming 8 new men each time. It will be completely free to attend.
A spokesperson for Mindset Bros has said:
“We cannot thank our amazing sponsors and supporters enough: Wight Computers, UK Car Line, PC Consultants, DMS Services, French Franks, Gurnard Press, Fortis Energy, Cowes Rotary, Wight Sight, Shrink Wrap UK and Red Funnel.
“Special thanks also go to Graham Barnetson for his generous personal donation, Jonathan Thornton and PC Consultants for sponsoring our inaugural evening, and Lou at Pan Together for giving us access to such a fantastic facility.
“Every knife, chopping board and pan represents someone who believed in this idea. That equipment will now be used to help new groups of men for years to come.
“Paul, we are incredibly proud of you. You didn’t simply run a marathon, you used your passion to create something that could genuinely change lives.”
The next Mindset Bros Culinary Club takes place on Wednesday 25th November, with the menu being decided by a public vote.
