Birthday pub doubles donation to FORCE
A celebrated Devon dining pub has now raised £2,000 for FORCE from the sale of its fantastic cook book.
The Jack in the Green at Rockbeare is currently gearing up to celebrate its 25-year anniversary as an independent business on the edge of Exeter.
Launched in 2016, The Jack Cook Book’ tells the story of the pub’s rescue from closure and transformation into somewhere consistently recognised by The Good Food Guide and the AA and a place often referred to as a Devon dining institution.
Written by Head Chef Matthew Mason, the 176-page book features a supporting cast of long standing suppliers, customers and friends. For the enthusiastic home cook there are 42 easy-to-follow recipes spanning 8 different chapters with helpful tips throughout and advice on where to buy the ingredients.
Passionate support
As part of the pub’s ongoing support for local charities £5, from every copy sold continues to come to FORCE. In the last 10 years the Jack has also raised £25,000 for the Lord’s Taverners and £50,000 for rugby based charity The Wooden Spoon.
Owner Paul Parnell commented: “This book is something I have always wanted to do, something Matthew thoroughly deserves and something all the team can be proud of not just a recipe book but a celebration of our journey over the last 25 years here in Devon. We feel very passionate about giving back to the local community that supports us and FORCE is a charity close to our heart and one where my wife Judy volunteers every week.”
Matthew Mason added: “Unbelievably this is the beginning of both mine and my wife Joanne’s 23rd year here at the Jack. Having lost my Dad to cancer when I was still serving my apprenticeship at Gidleigh Park, the fact that our recipes can help to support FORCE and do some good within our community gives me an immense sense of pride as a chef, a husband and a father. With him in mind I will be demoing one of the dishes from the book at next months Exeter Festival of Food & Drink.”
Happy 25th!
The first £1,000 was presented at Darts Farm in May 2016. The latest £1,000 was presented at the pub this week to FORCE fundraisers Naomi Cole and Oly Watts.
Sarah Daniels, FORCE Head of Income Generation, said: “FORCE is about supporting local people in their local community. We receive all our income from voluntary donations – some of which comes from local businesses. The Jack in the Green have been hugely supportive of FORCE over the years and allowing us to benefit from donations through the sale of their first cookbook is something we are so grateful for. To Paul, Matt and all the team at the Jack thank you so much – and Happy 25th!”
The book is available to buy from Darts Farm at Topsham, Christopher Piper Wines in Ottery St Mary and from The Jack in the Green at Rockbeare.
