Anthony Cooper, catering manager at Scania UK’s Milton Keynes Support Centre, has created a butternut squash and chilli soup for YMCA Milton Keynes SoupFest MK, a recipe book which is part of a brand-new fundraising campaign for the youth charity. 

He said: “It is a privilege to be asked to supply a recipe and I can’t wait to see the recipe in the cookbook itself. It’s a simple soup with an easy recipe to follow. But it’s also adaptable, whether you want to change the butternut squash for carrot, or want to add different flavours and accompaniments, you can. It’s a versatile soup that most people will be able to make.” 

Featuring 24 recipes, the book is a collection of soups gathered from restaurants, businesses and community groups from across Milton Keynes. Since February this year, Anthony and his team have produced over 3,000 meals to feed some of the most vulnerable young people in Milton Keynes.

David Anderson, managing director, South at Wilson Vale, added: “It’s great to see our chefs get involved with projects like the YMCA MK cookbook; such initiatives are at the very heart of Nurture Works, part of Wilson Vale’s environmental and social agenda The Full Works, which focuses on our social responsibilities, from supporting  sustainable suppliers and start-ups, employee well-being, diversity, equality and engagement.

“This is the perfect example of how Wilson Vale works in partnership with like-minded charities and organisations who share its social and ethical values.”

The recipe book will be available to buy in HomeGround Café located at the YMCA campus and on the YMCA MK website as well at a number of pop-up events planned in the run up to Christmas.