Pubs in Studley are set to go head-to-head in a competition to support a local food bank. 

Arden Foodbank Centre has partnered with chefs at the Little Lark, the Railway Inn and the Jubilee to see who can cook the best two-course meal using the contents of an emergency food parcel. 

All the parcels will be nutritionally balanced and contain sufficient food for three meals for three days. 

The competition will take place on Tuesday, August 20 at 6pm at the Jubilee, Wednesday, August 21 at 7pm at the Railway Inn and Thursday, August 22 at 7pm at the Little Lark. 

The event is being held in partnership with Arden Foodbank The event is being held in partnership with Arden Foodbank (Image: Google)

Each chef will also be able to spend up to £3 to supplement the contents of the food parcel and can choose up to three fresh items from Alcester Community Fridge. 

Susan Kinnersley, manager of Arden Foodbank, said: "We are very concerned that there are people in Studley who need us, but do not know we are open every Tuesday from 2pm until 3pm in the Methodist Church on Alcester Road.

"Arden Foodbank operates from two centres, the other being at the Eric Payne Community Centre in Alcester on a Friday. The latest figures show that Studley and Alcester have almost the same population.

"In 2023, we fed a total of 1856 people including 643 children, which is double the number in 2022, but only 480 or 25 per cent of those came to our Studley Foodbank. This event is one of several things we are doing to try and increase our visibility in Studley and reach those who need us most."

Chefs will provide a recipe card for each meal, which foodbank volunteers can give out to future clients. 

The meals will be judged by a panel of four local residents including Mike Osborne, chair of Studley Parish Council, Jennifer Stone, artistic director at Aunty Jen Productions, Steve Marchant, director of Masefields Architects and member of Studley in Business, and Ruth Jewell, funeral celebrant and member of Studley in Business.

The Jubilee Inn The Jubilee Inn (Image: Google)

Ms Jewell also gave the food bank the idea for the event. 

The result will be announced at the winning pub on Friday, August 23 at 7pm.

Arden Foodbank has been careful to avoid using any donated food for this event with the cost of the emergency food parcels used each evening being met by two sponsors, AHC Homes and Chris Osborne at Budget Shipping Containers.

Arden Foodbank said it is extremely grateful for their support and all unused food will be donated to the Foodbank.