Rutland Chef Brian Baker discusses 'Rutland, Steady, Cook' on BBC Radio 4

A campaign has been launched to get people cooking meals they wouldn’t normally during lockdown.

Inspired by the BBC cooking game show ‘Ready Steady Cook’, the campaign called Rutland Steady Cook reaches out to eateries with a request for them to share recipes, which anyone can make using ‘store cupboard ingredients’.

And it’s won the backing of Rutland chef Brian Baker, who spoke about it during BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ programme.

On the programme, Brian - the youngest chef to receive a Michelin star - explored a range of dishes which can be created using easily sourced ingredients and cupboard staples.

Brian worked as the personal chef to Italian fashion designer Valentino and Sir Elton John before returning to Rutland to run pubs.

On the programme, the chef spoke about the Rutland Steady Cook scheme, which is helping to spread positivity and support for the hospitality industry.

Brian said: “Rutland, Steady, Cook is a great chance for the whole community to work together, stay connected and keep each other’s spirits up.

“While so many people are confined to their homes, the simple act of getting into the kitchen and cooking together as a family is one of the most sociable pastimes.

“Cooking mindfully can be a great stress reliever and at the same time young and old can learn valuable life skills.”

The ‘Rutland, Steady, Cook’ scheme is the brainchild of Vicky Binley, the owner of Nimble Media, which produces the Discover Rutland publication.

Vicky came up with the idea after discovering an ‘enormous haggis’ from the depths of her freezer, which she served for two days straight before deciding to transform it into a bolognese meal.

She said: “Buoyed by this tasty triumph, I had the overwhelming urge to make old-fashioned custard from scratch - like my mum used to when I was little - and promptly bought a tin of evaporated milk.

“This all got me thinking and the seed of an idea was sown.”

The scheme aims to re-ignite a passion for cooking meals from home and by inviting everyone to participate hopes people feel part of something bigger.

Recipes and inspiration can be found through Discover Rutland’s social media accounts.

People are being asked to share photos of their creations on social media using #RutlandSteadyCook so they can be united with others who are in the same situation.

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