The King created a stir on a visit to a community hub when he turned his hand to baking a “VIP dessert” for people who rely on the centre for hot meals.
Charles was accompanied by the Queen on the tour of the Warehouse centre in Newtownards, Co Down.
The former pub has been repurposed as a volunteer-supported facility that provides free food supplies and meals to people in need, using excess produce from supermarkets and other suppliers that would otherwise have gone to waste.
Charles helped out in the kitchen by stirring up a gluten-free chocolate cake mix.
While the King was on baking duty, Camilla learned about the hub’s “blind date with a book” initiative that encourages people to try new genres of books.
The books are all covered in wrapping paper, so no-one knows what title they have got until they open it up.
Operations manager at the Warehouse, Megan Weimann, said it was a proud day for everyone involved with the centre.
“It was very nerve-wracking, but they were both so lovely and really friendly,” she said.
“They were really excited to hear about everything that we were doing and really wanted to engage with our volunteers, which was great.”
Ms Weimann also praised the King’s baking talents.
“Our chefs make everything, from starter, main course and dessert, and we serve lunch Tuesday to Thursday, and then a breakfast on a Friday. The king very kindly agreed to do a chocolate cake for us. So, it was great,” she said.
“That’ll be our VIP dessert tomorrow.”
She added: “The King was very happy to hear about the work that we’re doing to combat food waste and support the environment and sustainability, and the Queen was really happy to hear about our blind date with a book project that we have in place of a book club – the ethos behind that is not judging a book by its cover.”
Head chef at the centre, Dawn Stewart, gave Charles some tips as he whisked up the cake mix.
“His mixing was very good,” she said afterwards. “I was very impressed.”
Ms Stewart said it was wonderful for the hub and all the volunteers who work there to get royal recognition.
“It’s quite overwhelming,” she said.
“I’m just so delighted that a wee place in Newtownards gets recognition from the King for all what we do for the community.”
The royal couple embarked on an impromptu walkabout among the crowds gathered outside before departing, amid cheers from the enthusiastic well-wishers.
