THE MAYOR of Wokingham has been busy enjoying eating pancakes at a community centre in Wokingham.

The pancakes were made at the Rainbow Café in the Acorn Community Centre by aspiring young chefs.

The cooks were all customers from the Optalis’ Supported Employment Services (SES).

SES supports people to achieve paid employment and helps them gain experience and skills in their chosen career goals.

The community café was turned into a pancake pantry for the day and homemade pancakes were served, which had a range of fillings including banoffee and chocolate.

John Kaiser, The Wokingham Mayor enjoyed a traditional pancake.

He said: “My traditional pancake was very nice and it was lovely to see so many of the local community coming along to support the chefs.

“This is the second supported employment event I have been to here and it was nice to meet some old friends.”

SES customers served over 30 guests and were also able to gain valuable catering and customer service skills.

Donna Morgans, manager at Optalis’ Supported Employment Services, added: “Today has been all about building SES customers’ confidence.

"They were able to prepare and cook food in a professional kitchen and deal with the kind of pressures that arise in a working environment such as conflicting priorities and the need to be flexible.”

Amy Jones, who works for SES believes the team is welcoming and friendly and enjoyed the experience.

She said: “As first days go, it has got to be the best. Everyone in the team has been incredibly friendly and welcoming.

"It was great to be surrounded by, and part of, such great teamwork, and to top it off, there were Pancakes. I can’t wait to get stuck in some more with everything SES has to offer.”

For more information about SES, visit: https://www.optalis.org/employment-learning-leisure/help-to-find-and-keep-a-job.