Andy Gabbitas
Chef Lecturer, The Sheffield College
At The Sheffield College, Chef Lecturer Andy Gabbitas is passionate about equipping young chefs with the skills, creativity and global awareness they need to thrive in professional kitchens.
In 2024, Andy’s students competed in the Zest Quest Asia competition, sponsored by Tilda and designed to demonstrate student competitors’ expertise and culinary talent within Asian cuisine.
Following their win, Andy and his students had the chance of joining an unforgettable trip to India courtesy of Tilda Foodservice and Zest Quest Asia. The itinerary of the trip showcased the food culture of India but also reinforced the power of food to change lives in poorer countries.
He shares, “our last day was spent in the slums of Delhi and visiting an education centre which is fed by Mary’s Meals, a charity that Tilda Foodservice supports.” The charity provides school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities, which Tilda Foodservice support by donating for each sale of certain products sold.
Andy explains, “The visit to the school, and seeing the fabulous work undertaken by Mary’s Meals, was timed just right. We had a great 10 days eating in and visiting great places around India, to be brought back down to earth seeing such abject poverty. It is great to see that charities such as Mary’s Meals, and kindly assisted by Tilda, make such a difference to the children’s lives. Alleviating hunger while encouraging education by ensuring children receive nutritious meals in their place of learning can only be a good thing and hopefully, in the future, will break the cycle of poverty.
I hope Mary’s Meals grows from strength to strength and can keep on doing the most valuable work for underprivileged children.”