The picturesque village of Chew Magna recently played host to a delightful event tailored for the over-70s in the community.

At The Pony Cookery School, 10 enthusiastic seniors from local group Chew Chat gathered for a special cooking experience led by Sarah Miller from Sarah Miller Cooks. 

The day began with coffee being served in The Pony's gardens before moving to The Pony Cookery School demonstration area. The menu consisted of roasted red peppers stuffed with anchovies, tomatoes, and basil and a traditional summer berry trifle for dessert.

After watching Sarah's demonstration, the participants moved to their individual cooking stations. Each station at the Pony Cookery School is fully equipped for any dish, allowing everyone to try their hand at creating culinary magic.

Maureen Davidson, 89, said: “The cooking stations were remarkable. All the utensils were provided, and we had our own oven and hob which meant we were in full control of our meal”.

Once the dishes were prepared, a beautifully laid table awaited the group in the Pony restaurant, where the seniors were able to enjoy the fruits of their labour and the satisfaction of sharing a meal they had created together. 

The event was generously supported by Josh Eggleton, the renowned local celebrity chef, who kindly donated the space at The Pony Cookery School. Josh even welcomed the group with a surprise appearance during the cookery session and was very happy to pose for a photo with the Chew Chatters.

Sam Oliphant, founder of Chew Chat, said: “Huge thanks go to Josh’s team, including Holly and Emma, who were really supportive of the event and ensured everything went smoothly and according to plan.”

For the over-70s community in Chew Magna, this day will be remembered as a time of laughter, learning, and the simple pleasure of good food shared among friends. While the cooking was undoubtedly the highlight, the social aspect of the event meant it was a celebration of community. The top-end cooking facilities and the fabulous setting created a unique sense of occasion that participants will remember for a long time.

Sam added: “A big thank you also goes to Sarah Miller for her expert guidance.”

For more about The Pony Cookery School, visit https://theponychewvalley.co.uk/classes.

If you are over 70 and live in the valley and would like to find out more about Chew Chat’s activities, email [email protected]