Local chef preparing to cook 50 meals for those in need this Christmas
Bangor's tattooed Santa Claus says it's his way of giving back to the community.
Last updated 3rd Dec 2023
A tattooed chef from Bangor is preparing to cook 50 Christmas dinners for those in need his Christmas.
Chris Dalzell is a professional chef who began giving free meals out in 2021 during the covid pandemic, when households couldn’t mix, and he had food to spare.
After giving a meal to an elderly man who only had a tin of Heinz soup for Christmas day, he decided to keep it up, and try and give back every year. He added: “That’s what’s gave me the real push to continue this on.”
Chris has always been a huge part of his local community, and he thinks community is a huge part of Christmas. He is grateful for what his community has done for him. “We have a disabled child. Jessica spent a lot of time in hospital previously. We had to set up a go fund me to help support us getting private medical care for Jessica and without that help from the community, because it was overwhelming, Jessica wouldn’t be in the position she’s in now. The community supported me and my family in our time in need and this is a way of me giving back, every single year. I plan on doing this for as long as I can.”
Although it began in 2021, when he delivered food to 15 people, last year he gave to 35, and this year he’s aiming for 50. “And I realise I’m one person, but if one person can make a slight difference to a couple of peoples lives on Christmas day, that’s all I want to achieve form this.”
Chris is urging anyone in the Ards peninsula to reach out if they need help this Christmas.
The need he says is increasing as the cost-of-living crisis rises. He says its not just the cost of the dinners, but the electricity to cook it in. He stressed he’s an experienced chef who is providing good quality meals, cooked and ready to eat.
Chris cooks for around 60 people 6 days a week in Beaumont Care home in Bangor. On Christmas Eve when he finishes his shift, he is going out and delivering meals door to door. On Christmas day he’s going to those without homes, and providing for them too, all for free, before his family sits down to eat. “I couldn’t’ sit on Christmas day with my family with my dinner, knowing that there’s someone close to me that doesn’t have the same reward of Christmas day. I believe everyone should have a Christmas dinner.”
Chris added, “I want to add a massive thanks to the community for helping as I could not do it without them. And also, to The Little Bake Shop Bangor for donating individual homemade trifles and containers to serve with the dinners.”
Anyone can get in touch with Chris to order meals or help in any way. His details are chrismdalzell@live.co.uk or 073 98815367.