Meet Lisa, Staffs Housing’s new Head Chef

If you've been to our various cafes and restaurants at Bradeley Village, West End Village and Rowan Village you might have seen a new face.

Lisa Thursfield joined in September as our new Head Chef.

Since joining the team Lisa has been trialling new meals and recipes and is keen to know what more residents and visitors would like to see on the menu.

We caught up with her to see how she was settling in.

“I’m really enjoying my new role. With the support of my amazing team I’m already looking at new recipes and menu items.

“The latest addition will be my brand-new Christmas cake recipe, which is going down a storm with residents so far. Perfect for a festive event or if you want to pull out all the stops on the big day. Why not get in touch and order yours for just £15?

Before becoming Head Chef, Lisa worked as a Relief Catering Assistant.

“I joined in February this year and had been with Staffs Housing for six months when the opportunity of Head Chef came up. I knew the team and the role well and applied for a new challenge.

“I used to have my own coffee shop in Cheadle. I sold it just before the pandemic but before then it had been successful for over ten years.

“We’d have our regulars, and it became a bit like a community hub. Our speciality was our famous Staffordshire Lobby that people would come in especially for.

Lisa is passionate about health and fitness which she says is why she enjoys working in the catering industry.

“In my spare time I enjoy being active. I go to the gym and love getting out with my two dogs Pepsi and Shirley - you have to be of a certain age to get the reference.

“I think that’s why I’m so passionate about cooking, because I like making good food that’s healthy and still tastes great!

“At the café I used to serve slimmer friendly foods. People would come in after their weight loss group and eat good food they knew wouldn't pile on the pounds.

West End Village, Stoke is home to Staffs Housing’s own wellbeing hub. A space where the community can come together for healthy food, fitness classes, make full use of the gym, as well as Slimming World Groups on every Wednesday at 9.30am, 4.30pm and 6pm.

“As part of our wellbeing hub we have slimmer friendly meals (pictured below) so residents and the community can have something healthy to eat after they weigh in. They can take them home or eat them in our very own bistro.

“We’re open 9am-1pm Monday-Friday and take bookings for Sunday dinner too.

“We have a weekly specials menu with affordable meals starting from just £3. If there’s something you fancy instead, just let the team know and if we can we’ll make it for you.”