WITH the coronavirus pandemic forcing many people to cook for themselves, one Co Antrim restaurant has launched an online initiative to help the local community learn more about culinary arts.
After the Millside Restaurant in Cloughmills was forced to close due to the Covid-19 crisis, owner and chef Stephanie Gray decided to look at ways to help people develop their own cooking skills.
Launching 'Can’t Cook But Now I Have To', Ms Gray said "staff will provide professional advice to help out with videos during this testing time".
A dedicated 'Millside Kitchen' Facebook page and YouTube channel has been established with the aim of giving customers and the wider community the opportunity to "develop their own cooking skills by harnessing the expertise of the Millside’s kitchen and frontline staff".
"Many people will now have to cater more at home for their families but on occasions might need a helping hand and some useful suggestions," said Ms Gray.
"If people want to sample something new given the ingredients they already have in their stocked-up larder or have a favourite Millside dish they would like to try at home, then all they have to do is follow our Facebook page and YouTube channel and we’ll be more than happy to help.
"Then simply message or email us with their preferred option, whether it’s their own ingredients or their meal of choice, and one of our chefs and frontline house staff will provide professional advice to help out with videos during this testing time."
And the initiative doesn’t end there - the restaurant is offering cocktail and drink suggestions to accompany meals.
There's also a chance for young people to get cooking, with a nine-year-old boy already sending in his pancake tutorial.
Ms Gray said the online project was "meant to not only be creative but to give something back to the many thousands of social media followers the restaurant enjoys as well as reaching potential new followers".
"We want to make people happy during this present crisis and sincerely hope that it won’t be too long before our doors are back open and we can extend the warmest of welcomes to our clients," she said.
