A community cookbook launched at the National Eisteddfod in summer is becoming a recipe for success all the year through!
Residents from across Cynon Valley – including grandparents and a local police officer – shared their favourite recipes in “Cwm Cynon: Cymuned sy’n Cognio” (Cynon Valley: A Culinary Community), which can be downloaded for free here.
The book was launched on Maes D at the Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod in August, with the support of Katie Hall from Welsh band Chroma and Cynon Valley’s Cat Southall, who composed and performed a song about the book.
As well as proving to be a great read, the book also serves as an important guide for residents who need help creating healthy, nutritious meals on a budget.
The cookbook was the brainchild of support workers at the Bryncynon Strategy, who are funded by SPF Levelling Up Funding to deal with issues such as food poverty and challenges to healthy living and diets.
Because the Eisteddfod is named as a consortium partner in the funding, it was able to get involved and support the initiative in a range of ways.
This included supporting the launch of the cookbook and encouraging those attending the Eisteddfod to donate non-perishable food items, which now fill the food pantry at the Bryncynon Strategy. People can collect the food they need and use it in the recipes.
Finally, the Eisteddfod is also offering support longer-term, encouraging those who volunteered at the festival to continue to give their time at the Bryncynon Strategy.
Cllr Bob Harris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said: “From cawl and Welsh Cakes to soups and toasties, the cookbook showcases healthy, affordable meals for all.
“There’s comfort knowing the recipes come from the community, including some handed down through many generations, and use simple, healthy ingredients, including those that can be collected by those who need them from the food pantry.
“The partnership between the Bryncynon Strategy and the Eisteddfod through the Levelling Up Fund as been a valuable one, supporting the launch and promotion of the cookbook and the wider work of the strategy.”
