A profit-for-purpose social enterprise will once again bring people together in the true spirit of the season – cooking up 2,000 nutritious, home-cooked meals for people experiencing homelessness across Greater Manchester.
This is part of Cracking Good Food’s fundraising events, where any profit made will support the work they do as well as cover core costs so they can continue helping communities.
This year’s Festive COOK-Up on Monday, December 8, marks a new milestone for the organisation – a completely sold-out event and the first time ever they’re aiming for a 2,000-meal mark, following last year’s impressive 1,706.
The event takes place at Freight Island, one of Manchester’s most vibrant venues, where a joyful atmosphere will fill the air with festive choirs, disco balls, raffle prizes and plenty of cheer.
As part of Cracking Good Food’s fantastic fundraiser, socially minded organisations from across the region have sponsored their places to come along and Cook-Up alongside their cooking leader team.
Together, they will create delicious, globally inspired meals – all made from surplus food that would otherwise have gone to waste, thanks to an incredible partnership with FareShare Greater Manchester.
In total, the event will rescue more than half a tonne of perfectly good ingredients, turning potential waste into nourishment and joy.
Tracey Torley, CEO of Cracking Good Food, said: “This December in Greater Manchester, it is estimated that 16,500 will be homeless, half of whom are children. It shows that we are at a crisis point when it comes to homelessness and access to nutritious, home-cooked meals is a real challenge.
“By combining rescued food with the power of community action, we’re showing what’s possible in just one day as we try and keep those people fed and warm this winter.”
December and January are the coldest, most challenging months for people affected by homelessness, making this event not just festive but deeply meaningful.
Beyond the meals, the Festive COOK-Up is about connection, compassion, and community – offering companies a purposeful alternative to traditional networking and teambuilding.
Participants get to step away from their desks, collaborate with like-minded businesses, and see firsthand how their efforts create real impact.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, a supporter of Cracking Good Food’s Cook-Up initiatives, will again attend this year’s event.
At a previous Cook-Up, he said: “We sponsor 600 beds a night through one of our schemes, and this initiative is helping to feed those people of Manchester who need it most. Keep up the good work and keep doing what you’re doing – it makes all the difference.”
John Walmsley, social impact executive at The Casey Group, one of Cracking Good Food’s loyal supporters who attended a similar event earlier this year and will be attending again this December, said: “It was an immediate ‘Yes!’ when we were asked if we wanted to attend this time around. Our team described the experience as deeply rewarding and eye-opening.
“Many shared how meaningful it was to contribute their time and skills to a cause that directly impacts vulnerable individuals in the community. It also strengthened our sense of purpose and connection with each other.”
Molly Grant, catering manager, nutritionist and cooking leader at Cracking Good Food, who holds a deep passion for healthy, nutritious food, said: “We have all the skills and resources to pull an event like this off. It’s amazing to see us pull it off time and time again and this event will be no different.
“There really is true power in community and when we all come together we can truly make a difference for those who need it most.”
As a profit-for-purpose social enterprise, all profits from the Festive COOK-Up will go straight back into Cracking Good Food – helping them expand their community work and invest in new sustainable initiatives, including an e-bike which helps them deliver meals to communities and for their freshly homemade and nutritious catering service in a sustainable way.
This year’s event may be sold out, but the magic continues.
The waitlist for 2026 Cook-Up events is already open, with the next opportunities likely to be Carnival Cook-Up in May and another Festive Cook-Up towards the end of 2026.
To register your interest in cooking up with Cracking Good Food next year, email kate@crackinggoodfood.org or visit crackinggoodfood.org/festive-cook-up.