Residents of Stiles Way in Antrim were offered practical, low-cost meal ideas at a community cooking demonstration led by television chef Paula McIntyre, organised by Choice Housing as part of its Shared Housing Week activities.
Cooking demonstration aims to build skills and connections
The event, held at Castle Mall Shopping Centre and supported by Antrim Community Fridge, combined a live cook-along with advice from McIntyre on producing nutritious meals while keeping household food costs down. Attendees were given ideas and tips intended to be easy to recreate in domestic kitchens.
"I was delighted to be taking part in Choice’s Shared Housing Week. From my experience, cooking good food does not have to be expensive, and I was happy to get the chance to share simple, affordable and tasty ideas that everyone can enjoy!"
Choice said the demonstration also sought to foster neighbourhood ties by bringing residents and local organisations together around food. The community fridge, which redistributes surplus food to prevent waste, provided practical support and highlighted the wider local food‑security network.
Part of wider housing and community programme
The Stiles Way scheme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing for All Shared Housing Programme. Choice stated that the wider development and associated good‑relations plan could involve significant investment across the estate.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Potential investment | £2.14 million (relates to the wider scheme) |
| Good relations plan | Five‑year programme linked to the development |
Jonathan Blakely, Choice’s Community Development Manager, said the event demonstrated how community partnerships can create positive experiences for residents by combining practical advice with opportunities to socialise.
- Practical help: Attendees received tips on affordable, hearty meals intended for everyday cooking.
- Partnership working: The event was supported by Castle Mall and Antrim Community Fridge alongside Choice Housing.
- Broader context: Stiles Way’s housing scheme forms part of regional initiatives to improve community cohesion.
Local community groups say events of this kind can have benefits beyond the immediate learning of recipes. For many residents, shared cooking sessions are an opportunity to exchange practical household hints, discuss local services and meet neighbours they might otherwise not see.
Choice highlighted that food often provides a natural focal point for community activity, offering a simple way to bring people together and support practical everyday skills. For households facing pressure on budgets, small changes in shopping and cooking can make a tangible difference.
Organisers stressed that while the cooking demonstration addressed immediate needs around affordable meals, it also formed part of a wider effort to support good relations and improve the quality of life for residents of the housing development. The stated potential of £2.14 million in investment and the accompanying five‑year good‑relations plan relate to the overall scheme rather than the cost of the event itself.
For many in Antrim, initiatives which combine practical support with opportunities to build local networks are seen as welcome. Those involved said they hoped similar sessions could be repeated and expanded to reach other neighbourhoods where families are seeking simple, cost‑effective ways to feed themselves well.
The event underlined local partners’ efforts to tackle food waste and food insecurity together, using community assets such as the redistribution work of Antrim Community Fridge and the accessible space provided by Castle Mall.
