
UK food charity chef tells of Ramadan challenge for refugees in Calais
A chef who is helping to feed hundreds of displaced people in Calais is adapting his menu to support refugees observing Ramadan.
Ben Cottam, from Exeter in south-west England, has been based in northern France for the last eight months cooking for Refugee Community Kitchen.
The charity, which was set up by four friends in 2015, has been serving 'nutritious food without judgment' to those fleeing war, poverty, persecution and climate change for a decade.
The food organisation, which operates both in London and northern France, distributes hundreds of meals a week and has won a number of prestigious awards, including the Observer Food Monthly's outstanding achievement award.
Mr Cottam, 36, whose career has varied from working at private members' clubs to running his own catering company, took a break from London's food scene to head up the kitchen in Calais.
'Part of the reason I kind of quit my last job and needed a break was because every job I'd had in London kind of came with this sense of doom and fear and pressure and stress that was unavoidable with that kind of work,' Mr Cottam told the PA news agency.
'Living with that kind of feeling is what kind of breaks me in the end. I can't do it forever.
'Here there's none of that stuff I would consider the negative side of working in kitchens.'
Mr Cottam, who runs a team of up to 20 volunteers, is responsible for preparing 700 to 800 meals daily for displaced people sleeping rough in and around Calais and Dunkirk.
'It's a pretty slick kind of operation,' he said. 'Its been nearly 10 years now, so they've kind of got it down to a fine art.'
The daily menu consists of a main dish, which is usually a type of curry or chorba, a Middle eastern soup, rice or pasta, salad and an array of condiments.
In Calais there are usually two services per day, one at lunchtime and the other in the evening.
Mr Cottam said he is starting to adapt his menu to support community members observing Ramadan, by preparing food that can be stored for later consumption.
Refugee Community Kitchen is also fundraising to provide a special Eid meal to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
Many Muslims will spend a period of 30 days abstaining from food and drink – including water – during daylight hours, as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith.
After sunset, the fast-breaking meal iftar is taken.
'I've got a kind of wild idea about making fresh pita bread that we'll either bake really early in the morning or late at night. And then we'll fill them with falafel and salad,' he said.
'We'll take some that we'll wrap and people can take away and also fried things like bhajis and pakoras, stuff that is going to be nice to eat later on.
'Most people don't have access to fires or any way of reheating food later on.'
Mr Cottam added that a lot of thought goes into the nutritional side of things to help support gut health.
'If you're living like people out here are living and have been living for a long time, you often, your immune system is going to be quite weak,' he said.
Calais has been a transit point for refugees and migrants for decades. People live in poor conditions, including makeshift camps, and are at risk of police brutality and regular evictions.
'There's very much still a humanitarian crisis going on not very far from London,' said Mr Cottam.
'It's important for people to know about what's happening in Calais and the brutality of the police here.'
A total of 36,816 people crossed the English Channel in 2024, which was an increase of 25% from the 29,437 who did so in 2023, according to the Home Office – but down by 20% on the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
King reunites with old Royal Navy shipmates for trip down ‘memory sea-lane'
The special private reception, staged for the King's fellow sailors, was staged following a personal request from Charles, who funded the event himself. The 76-year-old monarch, who served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, was said to be 'greatly looking forward' to the catch-up with his former comrades and has been 'grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support' over the years. The then-Prince of Wales serving as a Sub-Lieutenant on the bridge of the frigate Minerva before routine patrols around the West Indies in 1973 (PA) An aide to the King said: 'His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane. 'He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life's journeys had taken them all.' Some 400 guests gathered with the King, who is now Head of the Armed Forces, in the royal residence, including his former mates, and their partners, from HM Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The King visiting HMS Prince of Wales in March as the Royal Navy finalised preparations for a major global deployment to the Indo-Pacific (PO Phot Rory Arnold/MoD/PA) After passing out at RAF Cranwell, the young Prince of Wales began his naval career as a 22-year-old acting sub-lieutenant when he joined an accelerated graduates course at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1971. Two months later, he was posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and then to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter. In 1974, the future King qualified as a helicopter pilot, and he flew with 845 Naval Air Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. The then-Prince of Wales demonstrates his flying skills at the International Air Day at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in 1975 (PA) In 1976, Charles took on his final post with the Royal Navy, becoming the Commanding Officer of Ton-class minesweeper HMS Bronington. His active naval career ended in December 1976, with the rank of Commander. Fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm were also among the guests, as were contingents from HMY Britannia and the King's Navy-related patronages, The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. The Prince of Wales acts as guide for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her visit to HMS Norfolk in 1972 (PA) Charles set up his youth charity, The King's Trust, formerly known as The Prince's Trust, with his Navy severance pay nearly 50 years ago, and the King's aide said the reception was 'a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years'. No media were present for the private get-together. The aide said: 'As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty's £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.' Charles as he relinquished command of the minehunter HMS Bronington at the end of his service in the Royal Navy (PA) Charles's shipmates have previously reflected on his seafaring days. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar, who served on HMS Bronington, said the-then Lieutenant Wales was 'without doubt, the best ship handler by far'. He added: 'Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. 'He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.'

South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
King reunites with old Royal Navy shipmates for trip down ‘memory sea-lane'
The special private reception, staged for the King's fellow sailors, was staged following a personal request from Charles, who funded the event himself. The 76-year-old monarch, who served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, was said to be 'greatly looking forward' to the catch-up with his former comrades and has been 'grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support' over the years. The then-Prince of Wales serving as a Sub-Lieutenant on the bridge of the frigate Minerva before routine patrols around the West Indies in 1973 (PA) An aide to the King said: 'His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane. 'He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life's journeys had taken them all.' Some 400 guests gathered with the King, who is now Head of the Armed Forces, in the royal residence, including his former mates, and their partners, from HM Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The King visiting HMS Prince of Wales in March as the Royal Navy finalised preparations for a major global deployment to the Indo-Pacific (PO Phot Rory Arnold/MoD/PA) After passing out at RAF Cranwell, the young Prince of Wales began his naval career as a 22-year-old acting sub-lieutenant when he joined an accelerated graduates course at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1971. Two months later, he was posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and then to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter. In 1974, the future King qualified as a helicopter pilot, and he flew with 845 Naval Air Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. The then-Prince of Wales demonstrates his flying skills at the International Air Day at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in 1975 (PA) In 1976, Charles took on his final post with the Royal Navy, becoming the Commanding Officer of Ton-class minesweeper HMS Bronington. His active naval career ended in December 1976, with the rank of Commander. Fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm were also among the guests, as were contingents from HMY Britannia and the King's Navy-related patronages, The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. The Prince of Wales acts as guide for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her visit to HMS Norfolk in 1972 (PA) Charles set up his youth charity, The King's Trust, formerly known as The Prince's Trust, with his Navy severance pay nearly 50 years ago, and the King's aide said the reception was 'a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years'. No media were present for the private get-together. The aide said: 'As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty's £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.' Charles as he relinquished command of the minehunter HMS Bronington at the end of his service in the Royal Navy (PA) Charles's shipmates have previously reflected on his seafaring days. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar, who served on HMS Bronington, said the-then Lieutenant Wales was 'without doubt, the best ship handler by far'. He added: 'Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. 'He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.'

Western Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
King reunites with old Royal Navy shipmates for trip down ‘memory sea-lane'
The special private reception, staged for the King's fellow sailors, was staged following a personal request from Charles, who funded the event himself. The 76-year-old monarch, who served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, was said to be 'greatly looking forward' to the catch-up with his former comrades and has been 'grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support' over the years. The then-Prince of Wales serving as a Sub-Lieutenant on the bridge of the frigate Minerva before routine patrols around the West Indies in 1973 (PA) An aide to the King said: 'His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane. 'He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life's journeys had taken them all.' Some 400 guests gathered with the King, who is now Head of the Armed Forces, in the royal residence, including his former mates, and their partners, from HM Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The King visiting HMS Prince of Wales in March as the Royal Navy finalised preparations for a major global deployment to the Indo-Pacific (PO Phot Rory Arnold/MoD/PA) After passing out at RAF Cranwell, the young Prince of Wales began his naval career as a 22-year-old acting sub-lieutenant when he joined an accelerated graduates course at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1971. Two months later, he was posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and then to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter. In 1974, the future King qualified as a helicopter pilot, and he flew with 845 Naval Air Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. The then-Prince of Wales demonstrates his flying skills at the International Air Day at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in 1975 (PA) In 1976, Charles took on his final post with the Royal Navy, becoming the Commanding Officer of Ton-class minesweeper HMS Bronington. His active naval career ended in December 1976, with the rank of Commander. Fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm were also among the guests, as were contingents from HMY Britannia and the King's Navy-related patronages, The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. The Prince of Wales acts as guide for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her visit to HMS Norfolk in 1972 (PA) Charles set up his youth charity, The King's Trust, formerly known as The Prince's Trust, with his Navy severance pay nearly 50 years ago, and the King's aide said the reception was 'a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years'. No media were present for the private get-together. The aide said: 'As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty's £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.' Charles as he relinquished command of the minehunter HMS Bronington at the end of his service in the Royal Navy (PA) Charles's shipmates have previously reflected on his seafaring days. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar, who served on HMS Bronington, said the-then Lieutenant Wales was 'without doubt, the best ship handler by far'. He added: 'Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. 'He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.'