Myra Anubi
Appearances
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
Alicia had originally run cooking workshops for a charity to try and encourage people to prepare their own meals.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
Alicia found out that people didn't know how to cook the kinds of meals that they'd like to eat and they also couldn't afford to experiment. And takeaways, while more expensive, were convenient and reliable.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
Now, a key part of the programme includes being part of a WhatsApp group that has a nutritionist as a mentor. In the group, participants connect and motivate each other to cook. I was invited to join the programme to see how all this works. Yes. Thank you. I got a box filled with free groceries.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
I also got stuff like new measuring spoons, a nice sharpener, and crucially, three simple recipes to try at home. My daughter and I had a go at cooking these meals together. Let's read. The first thing we're going to have to do is... Chop the onions. OK. Do you want me to do that? Because I know you don't like chopping onions.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
We made a chickpea and mushroom pilaf and a pasta dish. And for two weeks, we stayed in touch with other participants on our WhatsApp group and shared pictures of our meals. My nine-year-old was also able to follow all the cooking instructions. I was keen to speak to someone who had gone through the whole programme before to see if it had made a difference.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
Errol is in his 50s and he lives in East London, a place called Hackney. Errol graduated from the course last November.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
And did you get any other support, like from a mentor?
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
I can hear it in your voice. I can tell you now that you really enjoy it.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
Ah, nice. It does kind of boost your confidence, doesn't it?
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
So if I'm coming to your kitchen now, what is your, you know, your signature dish?
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: From rescue to romance
Erol is just one of the 14,000 people who've taken part in the programme so far. And Alicia says that their short-term intervention has an important long-term outcome.