2023 Heart's Kindness & Community Award Joyce Tanoh-Mensah, The Belsteads School, Chelmsford
Budge up, we want a seat at Joyce’s table! Not only does she cook amazing meals from scratch, her sunny outlook makes the dining hall a home-from-home.
Staff at this independent special education & mental health school say that Joyce has improved their food offering beyond recognition. Her freshly cooked dinners include food from all around the world, so it’s no surprise that the uptake of meals has increased significantly since Joyce took over the cooking.
But it was also Joyce’s warm and welcoming manner that meant she clinched this award. She’s made the kitchen and dining room the heart of the school, and a place where kids want to eat together and hang out. In school she’s known as ‘Mama Joyce’ and we can totally see why.
As part of Joyce’s prize for the Kindness & Community Award, we welcomed staff and students from The Belsteads School to Jamie Oliver HQ to create their very own brilliant recipe video. Find out more about their experience of being film stars for the day!
Judged by George Webster and Loyle Carner, presented by Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston
We chatted to Joyce…
What was it like to win the award?
It changed my life. In many ways, it’s improved my cooking, because I’ve tried so many more recipes – like cobbler; I’d heard about it before, but never made it, the kids and staff loved it. I think it’s had such a positive impact on the school as well. Even more people want to come! Also, students that didn’t eat school dinners before will now try them, because they’ve heard about my cooking. It’s things like that which keep me going.
What is your secret to being Mama Joyce?
My smile, and heart for everyone and passion for cooking. I feel for each and every child. This job is what I love to do… And what I want to do. We have children with different additional needs, and I’ll accommodate them – I want to make sure everyone is fed, I don’t want there to be a barrier.
What is the children’s favourite dish?
Almost everything! But if roast dinner is on the menu, then even those who usually bring in a packed lunch will have it. And there will be a queue like a restaurant! Usually it’s roast chicken with roast potatoes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower cheese – and everything is cooked from scratch. Jollof rice is also a favourite – I’m a proud Ghanaian, so sometimes I have to give this to them.
What are your goals for 2024?
I want to write my own recipe book. Jamie, I need help! I also want to learn more recipes. Jamie is one of my favourite chefs – how he cooks is very similar to me: simple and easy, but full of flavour. It’s what kids want to eat.
Pete, Mama Joyce’s colleague says of her…
“You can taste her love in the food. Everything that Mama Joyce does, she puts her all into it, and it’s really great to see. She loves her job. You just know that she cares about what goes into the food and into the kids.”