COTSWOLD Feature


Taste the Memory


A South Cerney woman has launched her own home business, giving others life guidance through cooking and chatting. Megan Archer found out how the memories of the favourite foods of loved ones can help the grieving process.


DULCIE James launched Taste the Memory in October with an aim of helping others to work through issues such as bereavement, stress and anxiety. Described as a naturally


compassionate, friendly and chatty woman, she admits that she doesn’t see herself as a coach or a counsellor, but more as someone who provides life guidance. Nicknamed the “Chilli Queen”


from her time as hospitality manager at Comstor in Cirencester, Dulcie combines her life guidance skills and qualifications with cooking. “All my life, the minute I could use


the cooker I’ve had a tremendous passions for cooking,” said Dulcie. “It is my therapy. When I’m fed-up I go to the kitchen.” The 56-year-old mother and wife


said she is by no means a master chef but sees herself as a wholesome traditional cook instead. The idea for Taste the Memory


came when Dulcie’s father died in July last year and she experienced firsthand the effect his death had on her Mum. “She didn’t enjoy cooking for one


84 COTSWOLDESSENCE | March - 2014 www.cotswoldessence.co.uk


and grief just made her go off her food so I started to cook for her,” she said. “I helped bring memories of Dad


back through cooking. We made steak and kidney pie, which he liked, and Victoria Sponge which I now make for Mum every month. “That’s how Taste the Memory was


born.” As well as bereavement, Dulcie has


also met with people who suffer from stress and anxiety. “I once had a person come and visit


me who was in a really bad way. She had been off work for three months. After visiting me I got her back to work in seven weeks. I helped change her focus. We made marmalade together and talked about the world.” Dulcie is holding a series of Winter


Warmer sessions, where people can come into her home and cook homemade soup and bread. Visit tastethememory.co.uk to


find out more.


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