Sunderland-based Life Kitchen to launch online cookery classes for people affected by Covid-19 and cancer

A successful Sunderland cookery class, which has been championed by Nigella Lawson, is launching an online version to help people whose tastebuds are affected by cancer and Covid-19.
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Ryan Riley from Washington set up Life Kitchen following the death of his mother Krista from cancer when she was just 47.

His aim was to help cancer patients, whose ability to taste is often affected by treatment, to enjoy food once more – and his mission has proved hugely successful.

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Not only did Nigella Lawson open his charity’s base at The Lodge in Mowbray Park in 2019, he’s also been supported by Jamie OIiver and Sue Perkins, has appeared on shows such as Saturday Kitchen and has released a bestselling cookery book.

Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson opens Sunderland chef Ryan Riley's Life Kitchen Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson opens Sunderland chef Ryan Riley's Life Kitchen
Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson opens Sunderland chef Ryan Riley's Life Kitchen

In line with restrictions in place to limit the spread of Covid-19, Ryan has been unable to hold his regular classes at The Lodge, which he created from a formerly run-down building, but he’s determined to still continue his good work.

Ryan, who also runs classes at festivals and events throughout the country, is asking people to sign up to free classes at pineappletacos.co.uk which are aimed at people affected by cancer and those dealing with the symptoms of Covid-19.

Ryan said: “I already have the funding to run these classes online, but I don’t have the people yet. “So the aim is to get people signing up across the country, as well as the North East, and as soon as we have the numbers we’ll start running them.

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“The classes are completely free so I don’t need people’s money, just their involvement.”

Ryan Riley's Life Kitchen charity has transformed The Lodge in Mowbray ParkRyan Riley's Life Kitchen charity has transformed The Lodge in Mowbray Park
Ryan Riley's Life Kitchen charity has transformed The Lodge in Mowbray Park

Speaking about how his classes came about, Ryan said: “There are lots of guides out there on how to eat healthily, but what I noticed when my mother was ill was that there wasn’t anything out there about how to enjoy your food.

“Tastebuds can be affected by Covid-19 too and when you’re not enjoying your food, you tend not to eat it and we need food to stay healthy.”

The former Washington School pupil added: “We’ve had extraordinary success so far and I’ve only just appeared on Saturday Kitchen talking about what we do. Then a global crisis happens and we’ve had to push ourselves beyond what we normally do.

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“A lot of the people who do our classes are immunocompromised and won’t be able to attend classes for a long time, so it’s important we adapt for them. The classes are called Pineapple Tacos after one of our most popular dishes.”

Ryan has also ran classes with Sunderland Royal Hospital cancer patients in the past. Pictured with Ryan are Hayley and Barry Phillips.Ryan has also ran classes with Sunderland Royal Hospital cancer patients in the past. Pictured with Ryan are Hayley and Barry Phillips.
Ryan has also ran classes with Sunderland Royal Hospital cancer patients in the past. Pictured with Ryan are Hayley and Barry Phillips.

Ryan’s refreshing approach has captured people’s imagination and his debut cookery book; Life Kitchen featuring “quick, easy, mouth-watering recipes to revive the joy of eating”, reached no 4 best-selling in its genre.

Famous chef Nigella Lawson was so impressed with his passion she travelled to Sunderland last year to open the Life Kitchen base at the Grade II-listed Lodge in Mowbray Park.

Ryan now plans to use the site as his TV studio for the classes.

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