King Charles demonstrated his culinary skills during a visit to a former pub that has been transformed into a bustling community hub in Newtownards, Northern Ireland. Alongside Queen Camilla, the monarch participated in a cake-baking session at The Warehouse, an establishment that provides free food supplies to locals in need.
Royal Visit to The Warehouse
On the penultimate engagement of their three-day trip to Northern Ireland, the royal couple visited The Warehouse, which offers free food supplies made from surplus ingredients from supermarkets and other household essentials to anyone in the local area who requires assistance. Upon arrival, operations manager Meghan Wiemann greeted the King and showed him the daily supplies received from supermarkets such as Asda and Tesco, as well as the 150 meals prepared each day in boxes for people to take home.
Meghan explained to the King that there are no criteria for using the food hub; it is open to all in the community. She even joked that he could take some bread home if he wished. The King learned that all food used is from surplus supplies that would have otherwise been discarded, and he inquired about the creativity required for recipes. He was told they have made dishes such as spicy peach chicken.
King Charles in the Kitchen
Charles then headed into the kitchen to meet the three on-site chefs, including head chef Dawn Stewart, who put the King to work. She asked if he would like to help mix a gluten-free chocolate cake. He laughed and said, “Cake mixing,” before taking the whisk and stirring the mixture. He was told it was a good way for The Warehouse to use up all their eggs and flour. After asking about the ingredients, he sniffed the whisk and, upon learning it contained chocolate powder, added, “I like the smell.”
Queen Camilla Joins the Visit
Halfway through the visit, Queen Camilla joined her husband after an earlier engagement. She was told about creative projects on offer, including “Blind Date with a Book,” where people discover new stories and authors by being offered books wrapped in plain paper with only a short synopsis. David Haire, community manager at The Warehouse, gave Camilla a book wrapped in paper with the synopsis: “From mountains to lakes, from country to shore - the sound of winds the call of birds…” She took it to read later. In exchange, she gave David a book wrapped in paper containing the King and Queen’s cypher. When told about the project’s popularity, she said, “You must join my reading room.”
In the garden, the King and Queen met volunteers who help out at The Warehouse, including Connie, Callum, and Sam, who are supported by East Coast Day Opportunities, which helps young adults with learning disabilities. The group has volunteered by helping to clear the garden and presented the King with a gift: a framed picture containing stones decorated like bees. He asked if they made the bees out of clay, but they explained they were stones collected from the beach. He told them, “Thank you very much, I’m very grateful. You must have a very steady hand.”
Departure and Community Reaction
Before leaving, the couple joined together to cut a cake, with Charles telling everyone they must have some with their lunch. As crowds gathered outside, the pair went on an impromptu walkabout. Meghan Wiemann said, “It was nerve-wracking beforehand but they were both so down to earth and friendly. They seemed really impressed with what we are doing here helping the community. It has been so wonderful.”
