Being a chef is so much more than just putting food on a plate. The joy that I get from seeing someone smile when they eat something I've prepared, is priceless. We all need to eat, so working in kitchens for the best part of 7 years has meant that I've crossed paths with so many different people and had a lot of great times in this industry.
Unfortunately, I lost my job at the end of last year. I'm used to renting and paying with my wages but due to a rocky few years with the pandemic, I didn't have any savings to act as a buffer whilst I tried to look for something else. I ended up sleeping rough for a month or so before being found by a St Mungos outreach team. I'm now staying in temporary accommodation and I'm in the process of setting up benefits whilst I look for work. Luckily I've just received settled status after being in UK for a long time now. Being supported to get these things sorted has been so helpful and I'm left feeling like things are starting to look up for me.
I'd like to get a job working in a kitchen as that's where my skill set lies. Cheffing can be fast paced though so I would be happy preparing food or being an assistant to the main chef. The one thing that keeps me going is my son who lives in abroad. He would visit regularly before the pandemic so I'm hoping that once I'm back in work he'll be able to visit again and see me at my best.