Big Hairy shock as celebrity chefs cook up a treat for Settle Age UK chef (From Craven Herald)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting CHNEWS to 80360, or email
Big Hairy shock as celebrity chefs cook up a treat for Settle Age UK chef
8:00am Friday 22nd February 2013 in News
From left, Charlotte O’Brien, Simon King, Ruth O’Brien, Dave Myers and Steve O’Brien
Age UK chef Ruth O’Brien had the shock of her life when Hairy Bikers Simon King and Dave Myers dropped into her kitchen.
Ruth, who cooks a hot meal for nearly 40 people at the Friday Lunch Club at St John’s Church Hall, Settle, had been told she was being filmed for a documentary about volunteering.
She had already had one film shoot and was busy preparing her signature queen’s pudding when the celebrity chefs appeared.
“They just turned up,” said Ruth who has been volunteering for Age UK for eight years. “They are really nice, with no airs and graces. It was absolutely brilliant.
“If I had the chance I would do it all over again.
“I think the clients enjoyed it as much as I did.”
The two cooks were filming for their latest TV series, Everyday Gourmets, where they serve a gourmet meal to deserving people.
Ruth, 53, had been nominated by her husband, Steve, a local police officer.
“She gets about £40 to feed about 40 people on a weekly basis. She does a lot of work at home, but doesn’t get much recognition,” said Steve.
A few weeks after making the nomination, Steve and daughter Charlotte were in secret talks with the TV company and attended an interview session at Nothcote Manor, Langho, when they talked about Ruth’s dedication.
“She had no idea what was going on and when the Hairy Bikers turned up, she was gobsmacked,” said Steve.
As the cameras rolled, Dave helped Ruth complete her pudding while Si mingled with Age UK members and tried his hand at indoor bowling.
Ruth was then whisked off to the hairdressers and, after a quick change of clothes, was taken to the five-star Littlebank House at Rathmell where she and her family enjoyed a gourmet meal.
“It is all a bit of a blur, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” said Ruth, who also cooks for the monthly luncheon club in Long Preston.
Chris Broadhead, chief officer at Age UK North Craven, said: “It was a wonderful day for all concerned and the clients really enjoyed the visit from the Hairy Bikers who made them all feel so special.”
The programme is scheduled to be broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday at 8pm.
