Beverly Perkins and Mary Chambers outside the new community Cafe

mjefferies@thekmgroup.co.uk

Cheerful chefs Beverly Perkins and Mary Chambers are serving up a slice of help for a local charity.

The two friends have opened the Community Café in King Street, Ramsgate, to raise much-needed funds for Thanet Mind - the local branch of England's leading mental health charity.

As well as enjoying delicious cakes and a fine 'cuppa,' shoppers and local people have been streaming into the town centre restaurant for hearty home-cooked meals, including full English breakfasts, pies and spaghetti bolognese.

Whenever possible, the café uses tasty organically-grown produce from the charity's own Garden Gate project, based in the grounds of Northdown Park, Cliftonville.

The scheme benefits people recovering from mental health problems - some of whom are also lending a hand at the new venture.

Ms Chambers said: "The Community Café helps our service participants gain new skills and also provides affordable meals for local people living on low budgets.

"It's very fulfilling for everyone at Garden Gate to see the fruit and vegetables they planted as seeds being served in the café."

She added: "People with learning difficulties still have an important role to play in society and it's fabulous to watch them develop their skills in the kitchen."

The Ramsgate restaurant, which can cater for around 30 people, already has ambitious expansion plans.

It intends to become fully free-range and hopes to strike deals with local farmers or suppliers to receive meat and other produce at discounted prices.

Ms Perkins also wants to start themed nights, where guest chefs would cook specially-selected foreign dishes.

She explained: "We'd like the café to serve another purpose by increasing people's cultural diversity and knowledge of other ways of life through sampling food."

For more information about the Community Café or to enquire about volunteering opportunities at any of Thanet Mind's local projects, telephone 01843 570992 and leave a message.