LOCAL restaurant Refa Tandoori made a surprise visit to Melksham Free Dining last week, to help feed everyone in attendance.
“The diners were delighted to see restaurant owner, Gias Uddin, and his chef Nurul Chowdhury arrive with a special meal for them,” said Louisa Lewis from Melksham Free Dining, an initiative that offers a free meal to locals on Wednesdays at Bowerhill Village Hall
“Nurul had started the ovens at the Refa Tandoori at 5am that morning to ensure the diners would have a traditional Indian lunch time meal.
“The diners tucked into vegetable korma, rice and naan bread, and afterwards they gave a round of applause to compliment Gias and his chef for the fabulous tasty korma.
“It was such a superb gesture. We were all overwhelmed by Gias’ generosity. The meal was so delicious, most diners asked for seconds and there was barely a teaspoon left in the large cauldron at the end of the meal! The vegetable korma was a huge success.
“Gias said he had been so impressed by the work Melksham Free Dining was doing, he wanted to support the charity by cooking a meal for them. He went on to say he felt it was important that we should all help our community in any way we can.
“He was aware of how generous the Melksham Market traders had been to Melksham Free Dining and hoped their combined gestures would encourage others to follow their examples. Gias would be happy to talk to anyone that would be willing to sponsor a meal for Melksham Free Dining.
“As for the diners, they sent Gias and Nurul a ‘thank you’ card expressing their delight at such a wonderful surprise and their appreciation for all the hard work involved in making their lunch time so special.”
If you would like more information about Melksham Free Dining, please call trustees Louisa Lewis on 01225 374232 or Deedee Macleod on 07967 123858.
Pictured: Refa Tandoori’s Gias Uddin (third from left) and chef Nurul Chowdhury (far right) help Melksham Free Dining volunteers dish up their donation of vegetable korma
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