Eat At And Read About Social Responsible Restaurants Helping Handicapped Workers Around the World

LONDON UK
In London I first came across the idea of social restaurants which train and employ
people with particular needs. One in Harrow was promoted locally.

Elsewhere in London Jamie Oliver's restaurant helping those who needed training and employment got a lot of national publicity. So that was at least two in the UK, spreading help, and the idea to inspire other projects.

Then, in Singapore, I found more.

SINGAPORE
I discovered two others in Singapore. One is at the Pathways school. Philanthropic enterprises can overlap. Sometimes being orphaned leads to other psychological needs. The Pathways has assorted historically philanthropic and branches brought together in one place combines philanthropic philosophies, a Catholic school, training for those who have not passed exams to get into other more academic schools and need more practical job training. I looked for more around the world.

Next I met Bruce, Brand ambassador for Caffeine which helps former drug users find employment in its restaurant in a hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital.



Useful Websites
For reintegrating former drug users:
thecaffeineexperience.com
facebook.com/theofficialtce
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tan_Tock_Seng_Hospital
Shuttle bus service to Novena MRT:

SINGAPORE
Re Glenn Lim in Singapore
https://www.facebook.com/ProjectFeel/posts/this-is-the-life-story-of-glenn-lim-who-was-a-school-dropout-and-an-ex-convict-b/1480129015564165/
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/rebuilding-lives-from-scratch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPHKDl82CDE&feature=kp&fbclid=IwAR2nifT8CnwIc_qOp-ZsAJVGTrLTF6bzHUKi9clfplaBxwQXmjHEUloFqyE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtE1T5hMZ1o

MORE IN SINGAPORE
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/amazing-restaurants-that-hire-people-with-disabilities/
About Dignity
https://www.citynews.sg/2011/04/20/job-training-for-the-disabled/

Restaurant Projects Elsewhere
Canada
https://www.culinarychoreography.com/about

UK
https://londontheinside.com/london-businesses-that-give-back/
Includes description of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in London, England. (Jamie Oliver's regular restaurants are in the UK and Singapore.)

USA
Cause Cafe, Northport, New York
https://www.today.com/parents/visit-cafe-takes-chance-adults-autism-t102771

Addresses
The Caffeine Experience
11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng
#01-19 Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Singapore 308433.

Jalan is Malay for street.

TRAVEL
singaporeair.com
Book up to six flights on Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance members.
https://www.singaporeair.com/booking-flow.form?execution=e1s1
How to join Star Alliance and get points on member airlines
https://www.staralliance.com/en/faqs

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

What Are Welsh Cakes? Recipe!

Welsh cakes from Fishguard Bay Hotel. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Notice the cakes contain currants. Welsh cake can be broken into four pieces using the cross which has been scored with a knife (or fork).

Problem
What are Welsh cakes? Where or how can I try them?

Answer
Welsh cakes are round or square cakes which look like flattened scones. Like scones, they have sultanas or currants. Like scones, you can serve them with jam and butter, or cream.

I first tried them in Fishguard, Wales. You eat them hot with butter and jam.

I had them for elevenses at Jane's. Delicious and more-ish. Perfect small cake to go with coffee for mid morning or after noon tea.

Handy bag from Janes reminds you of the address and phone number.

The second time I tried them was at Fishguard Bay Hotel. Scrumptious.

The third time was on the Aviva train from Fishguard ferry port via Fishguard to change at another station for the train home to Paddington, London. At £1.50 for two small cakes, not with crockery, just from a train trolley, they seemed expensive. No receipt either.

But I still thought they were a good buy. They filled me up and left me feeling satisfied.

Tips
You can make them from a recipe such as Jamie Oliver or the BBC or the Welsh tourist board. Here's the recipe from the tourist board:
http://www.visitwales.com/explore/traditions-history/recipes/welsh-cakes

If you put a cross on them, scored with a knife, you can divide them into smaller pieces to go with coffee.

Welsh cakes bought on the Aviva local train. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Blas y Castell means Taste the Castle.
Welsh Cakes bought on the Aviva train from Fishguard to Whitland (where you can change onto the train to Paddington).

My ticket was via Whitland, which is an easy change of train. You stay on the same platform. Whitland has no café and no toilets, so if you go via Whitland you will be glad of the opportunity to buy food and drink on both trains.

Wikipedia says:

• Llech Cymraeg: cooked with plain flour (particularly wholemeal flour) - rather than the standard self-raising flour, and baking powder, resulting in a much flatter and crisper cake. Typically, this variant is made as a slab on a bakestone, or nowadays on a baking tray, hence the name Llech Cymraeg (literally, "Welsh slab").
• Jam Split: popular in South Wales. As the name suggests, this is a Welsh cake split horizontally, with jam (and sometimes butter) added, rather like a sandwich.
• Apple Dragon: Adding grated apple to the mix helps to keep the cakes moist for longer.
• The Newport Lovely: regional variant hand-crafted by the men of Newport for their women as either a wedding-gift, or engagement present.
• Mynydd Cymreig: (literally, Welsh Mountain): from North Wales, doubling the amount of baking powder results in their increased rising. They are also finely coated in icing sugar, symbolising the seasonal snow cap of some of the higher peaks in Snowdonia.
• The Kiwi Cake: exported by Welsh settlers, the Welsh cake has been produced in New Zealand for many years.

I think the Welsh Mountain Cake would be good for tea-time in a snowy winter or at Christmas.
Here's a recipe from Wikipedia:
Ingredients]

• 1 lb (450g) plain flour
• 8 oz (225g) butter
• 6 oz (170g) sugar
• 4 eggs
• 3 oz (85g) currants, raisins or other dried fruit
• dash of milk
• pinch of salt

Procedure]

1. In a large mixing bowl, rub together butter, flour and salt until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
2. Mix in sugar and fruit.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating together until mixture forms a thick dough. If dough will not form, add a small amount of milk.
4. Knead for two to three minutes until dough becomes cohesive and slightly elastic.
5. Roll dough out on a flat surface.
6. Cut two to three inch circles from the dough and fry on a griddle until golden brown.

Tips
Janes of Fishguard, Crafts, Coffee House14-18 High Street, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire.
Website: Janes-fishguard.co.uk
https://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/ (trips, tours, offers: London; England, Scotland, Wales)

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer, photographer, author, speaker. I have several other posts on Wales and Welsh language. Please share links to your favourite posts.