How one chef is transforming lives with vegetarian cooking across Manchester

Vegetarian for Life’s (VFL) ‘Roving Chef,’ Alex Connell, has reached a significant milestone in his mission to spread the joy of vegetarian cooking – celebrating over 200 community cookery classes across Manchester and beyond.

Alex, who joined VfL in September 2019, has worked tirelessly to inspire a range of audiences, from trainee chefs to older adults and people living with dementia, adapting his approach to suit each group’s needs.

Vegetarian for Life

Reflecting on what being a Roving Chef means to him, Alex said, “Being a Roving Chef has allowed me to visit hundreds of venues and meet people I may not have had the pleasure to cook for as a ‘standard’ chef.

Speaking to organisers, agreeing on recipes, fixing the date, and travelling to community halls is just the start of the fun that follows.

Alex’s cookery demonstrations aren’t just about food preparation – they’re about fostering a sense of community and connection.

“Once I’ve gone through the introductions and health and safety, the cookery begins. Usually, I start by chopping an onion – most recipes do! As the onions start to cook, I walk through the ingredients and method, but what I enjoy most is listening to the stories people share,” he added.

From stories about army cooks to memories of first-time curry experiences, Alex’s sessions are filled with personal reflections and laughter, all while a delicious meal is being prepared.

“For me, being a small part of bringing people together to share stories, have a chat, meet friends, and generally enjoy a lovely couple of hours is a real honour and pleasure,” Alex explained.

The roving chef

Over the past five years, Alex has had many standout moments. One particularly memorable experience was demonstrating how to make gingerbread houses over Zoom for Barchester Healthcare, where residents later built their own creations.

“Judging those gingerbread houses was both fun and challenging,” Alex recalled with a smile. He also treasures working with young chefs at Kendal College, helping to inspire the next generation of caterers, as a major highlight.

Keeping it fresh and fun

To keep his cookery sessions engaging, Alex believes in focusing on the audience’s dynamics. “Even if I’m making a dish I’ve made before, the group is always new and deserves enthusiasm and interaction,” he explained.

His passion for cooking and connecting with people helps him keep every demonstration fresh and lively, whether it’s for professionals or community groups.

Benefits beyond cooking

Beyond teaching practical cooking skills, Alex’s sessions bring a variety of benefits to the community. “Food is more than just nutrition – it’s about sharing memories, social engagement, and breaking the ice for conversations,” said Alex.

His demonstrations allow time for questions and, of course, tasting the prepared food, which adds to the enjoyment.

The cookery sessions have had a significant impact, especially among older participants.

“I’ve had people approach me after sessions to share how much they enjoyed the experience. It’s heartwarming to know that some have even expressed an interest in trying more vegetarian food after seeing how simple and delicious it can be.”

Tailoring to the audience

Each cookery session is carefully tailored to suit the specific group, whether it’s trainee chefs, dementia care groups, or older adults living alone.

“For professional chefs, I aim to build on their existing skills and show them how to create excellent vegetarian and vegan meals,” said Alex.

“For older groups, I like to draw out memories and create space for conversations.”

When working with individuals living with dementia, Alex takes a thoughtful approach, adapting the pace of the session and ensuring it’s always engaging and enjoyable.

“There are no preconceived ideas when I approach these groups. The focus is on fun, sharing, and, of course, plenty of food samples!”

Positive feedback and community impact

Alex has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, ranging from professional chefs topping up their vegetarian knowledge to older community members who have rediscovered a love for cooking.

His cookery demonstrations have also contributed to building stronger community bonds.

“The sessions bring people together, which is especially important for groups like Age UK who work to combat loneliness among older adults,” Alex explained.

His work with charities such as Manchester Cares (before it sadly went into liquidation) helped unite older and younger community members, reinforcing the value of these events as community-building experiences.

Looking ahead: how to get involved

Alex shows no signs of slowing down, with demand for his cookery demonstrations continuing to grow. “Any group that supports those over 50 years old can request a demonstration,” said Alex.

“These sessions are going from strength to strength, and I’m excited to keep sharing the joys of vegetarian cooking with more communities.”

You can find out more Vegetarian for Life by clicking here