The Countess of Wessex pitched in to treat NHS workers with a hot meal when she volunteered in the kitchens of hospitality group Rhubarb on Tuesday.
Donning a mask, apron, and gloves, Sophie helped fill large trays with pasta and assembled what appears to be tacos in several photos shared on Rhubarb’s Twitter account.
“We were humbled and delighted to welcome HRH Countess of Wessex @RoyalFamily to rhubarb yesterday,” the company tweeted. “Together we cooked thousands of meal [sic] for the @NHSuk Thank you MarshallWace Mealforce Helpforce.”
Rhubarb has pledged to serve thousands of meals each week to NHS workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis. In addition to its restaurants, the Rhubarb group provides luxury catering and event services, along with the management of food and beverage hospitality at event sites such as the Royal Albert Hall.
This isn’t the first time in the past week Sophie has rolled up her sleeves to help. On 9 April, she visited The Hope Hub in Camberley, Surrey to prepare Easter food parcels for homeless and at-risk individuals.
“It was a joy to welcome HRH The Countess of Wessex on Thursday 9 April to The Hope Hub in Camberley to meet staff & volunteers & help pack emergency food parcels for vulnerable clients who are in temporary accommodation during COVID-19 and would otherwise be homeless,” Chief Exec Mags Mercer said in a statement shared on Twitter.
“The countess showed a genuine interest and compassion towards vulnerable people, asking questions and sharing and packing Easter eggs and delivered five parcels within the Borough of Surrey Heath. We hope there will be a more formal opportunity after the pandemic when we can invite clients, volunteers, and supporters to meet the Countess of Wessex.”
Meanwhile, her husband the Earl of Wessex (along with some celebrity friends) gave his congratulations to those earning their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Award in a video shared on the Royal Family’s social media accounts this week. The awards ceremonies were cancelled due to coronavirus but the earl promised the recipients they would be rescheduled as soon as possible, and also shared virtual greetings from the likes of Hugh Bonneville and Marvin Humes.
