Lifting the Lid on the Kitchen at BMIMC
Have you been thinking about volunteering in the kitchen at BMIMC? It’s a way to stay connected with the Centre in-between your own retreats, to support teachers & yogis’ practice through service, and to support your own in the company of wise friends and committed practitioners. If you do have a little time to spare, volunteering can be a very enriching and joyful part of your life.
All of our retreats are cooked for by volunteer cooks, with a head cook and an assistant cook, usually cooking for around 20 people, which includes yogis, teachers and staff. The meals are all vegetarian & usually gluten-free. The centre has recipes and menus available to help with quantities and menu planning, and if you don’t feel comfortable taking on a head chef position, volunteering as an assistant is a good way to learn the ropes. It’s also a good way to learn some new cooking skills, as our experienced cooks are always happy to share their knowledge. We’ve a lovely new kitchen with a great outlook over the garden, and no lunch preparation is complete without cups of tea, chocolate (preferably dark!) & laughter.
By way of thanks, our kitchen volunteers receive a free sitting day for each day they volunteer, which can be redeemed up to the value of half the sitting time of a retreat. Kitchen volunteers can stay at the centre for the duration of their cooking time (which may be a day or two, or sometimes several weeks), have their own room, and work half a day with the rest of the day free. Volunteer staff are welcome to attend evening dhamma talks.
So, with the new schedule just released, we are starting to fill up our cooking whiteboard. If you are one of our regular cooks, or a newbie, we have our coloured markers standing by to pop your name in for your preferred slot. If you’d like to help out in other ways, like one of our regular gardening & maintenance days or with Dana, we’d also love to hear from you.
If you’re interested in helping please email us or phone the office on 02 4788 1024
And a big rousing thank-you to our tireless, generous, patient, kind, joyful & beautiful cooks and assistants past and present. May the fruits of your generosity ripen & bring you happiness.