Roland brought with him a wealth of experience from his work with Compass Group Australia, where he provided catering and food service to a range of clients from schools to mine sites. His calm leadership and practical skills were felt from day one. He helped Chef Mel prepare meals, guided volunteers with safe cutting techniques and food safety and supported our corporate groups so they could confidently get involved.

With Roland by Chef Mel’s side, our Community Kitchen could increase weekly meal production by more than 800 to 1,000 meals. That meant our output grew from roughly 2,500 meals a week to close to 3,500. This is a huge lift that helps us get more nutritious meals into our branches across Western Australia.

One of the most memorable moments was when we received a donation of half a kangaroo carcass. Roland took on the challenge with enthusiasm. He prepared, skinned and cooked a beautiful kangaroo stew that filled the kitchen with rich aromas. When the supplier dropped in to try it, they loved it. We sent the stew out to our branches, and the feedback from customers was incredible.

Beyond the food, Roland fitted into our team straight away. He worked closely with volunteers who said they enjoyed learning from him and appreciated how he made our Community Kitchen feel supportive and welcoming. He always asked how he could help us achieve our goals each week and he meant it.

This partnership with Compass Group Australia shows what’s possible when organisations come together with a shared purpose. With Roland’s support, Chef Mel can now keep up with demand and we can continue providing meals that make a real difference for people doing it tough.

Stories like this remind us that every skill and every set of hands helps fuel our mission. We are so grateful to Compass Group Australia for their generosity and to Chef Roland for bringing heart, expertise and energy to our kitchen.