A keen cook from Freshbrook is setting up what she believes is Swindon's first multi-cultural catering service, called Bola's Kitchen.

Bola Clemo's menu covers recipes from Africa, the Caribbean and Britain, and she regularly caters for up to 250 people at church gatherings, weddings and school events.

"I don't know where it comes from, but I love cooking and find it very easy to prepare dishes for large numbers," said Bola. "My father was a village chief in Nigeria and I never cooked when I was young. But the house was usually full of people and food was always being served.

"I became a Christian when I came to England to train as a nurse and discovered I had the talent to prepare food for large numbers when all the students got together."

She met her husband Hedley at one of the student parties and they moved to Swindon ten years ago. Bola has used her skills at church, playgroup and events at Tregoze School, where Afro-Caribbean events including dressing up in West African clothing are a great hit.

Bola is happy to cater for a banquet or to take short notice orders. The menu can be all Afro-Caribbean or mixed with English dishes. "It's all about planning ahead and storing dishes. But people have got to know that I can quickly produce dinner for fifty people and call me up. The ingredients are always in the larder."

To discuss catering for a party, wedding or special event, call Bola on 491138. Give her a call to arrange a different kind of fundraising evening for your school, playgroup or organisation.