Edinburgh restaurant makes curry to help feed vulnerable struggling during coronavirus pandemic

Help offered through RBS foodbank appeal

Gordon Craig says he is used to working 70 hours a week and does not want to be idle

STOCKBRIDGE restaurateur Gordon Craig cooked up 100 portions of curry to help feed vulnerable people struggling during the coronavirus lockdown.

The owner of the Taisteal eatery in Raeburn Place also worked with his staff to prepare a range of other meals, which he froze and offered through the RBS foodbank appeal backed by the Evening News.

Mr Craig said: “As soon as the Prime Minister said stop going to restaurants people stopped coming. We had all the staff so I said we might as well prepare stuff because people are going to struggle for food soon.

“And I’ve carried on - we’re not allowed to open the restaurant now but I’m used to working 70 hours a week so I want to do something.”

He spent most of one day last week cooking the curry in the kitchen at Taisteal.

“I had tins of coconut milk and a few other things and I ordered in some other stuff like aubergines. It’s a southern Indian dish and I cooked it at my wedding as well. It’s one that pleases everyone because it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. Vegetarian and there’s hardly anything in it allergy-wise.

“I didn’t want to do one that people wouldn’t eat or wouldn’t be suitable for everyone.”

He said the earlier efforts had produced at least another 100 meals.

And he was eager for the food to help those who were finding it hard to cope during the lockdown.

“It’s not a great time for anyone, but there’s people who have issues getting stuff to eat.

“My mum usually volunteers at the foodbank in Livingston - she’s an elderly lady so she can’t go out just now so I thought I’d better do something.”

The meals were distributed by charity Cyrenians Fareehsare to people in Edinburgh needing help.

And Mr Craig intends to continue helping, with Fareehsare providing ingredients which he will use to cook meals and return to Fareshare to provide to families and individuals needing help.

“I’ve got my kitchen sitting there doing nothing so I’ll be volunteering with this.”