Shepton community kitchen honours Craig Stevens

By Laura Linham 28th Jul 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 3 hours ago

A community kitchen first planned by Craig Stevens has opened at Rock Farm in Shepton Mallet, carrying forward his work with children and vulnerable adults. Craig's Kitchen has been opened by Rock Farm owners Gavin and Erica in his memory.

Craig ran The Good Life Projects at Rock Farm for almost a decade, fulfilling a long-held ambition to run a smallholding and teach people about food and where it comes from. He had secured funding to create a community kitchen for vulnerable adults and children with special educational needs, but died before the project could be completed.

According to the project's fundraising page, Rock Farm owners Gavin and Erica wanted to honour the intention of the space by opening it up to community groups and hosting food events that "pay it forward". Each booking at Craig's Kitchen will include a donation to a chosen local organisation, with a different cause set to benefit each year.

Shepton Mallet Men's Shed has been selected as the kitchen's first beneficiary. The group provides companionship, practical activities and opportunities to learn and share skills, supporting people who may be experiencing isolation following retirement, unemployment, poor health or bereavement.

Money has already been raised through pitch fees paid by food traders at Rock Farm, alongside a Crowdfunder which closed successfully on Wednesday, 15 July. The appeal raised £460 from nine supporters for Shepton Mallet Men's Shed.

Craig's Kitchen will now provide a place for community groups to meet, cook and hold events. It will also continue the work Craig had hoped to establish at the farm, keeping his field-to-plate vision rooted in the Shepton Mallet community.

More information is available through the Rock Farm fundraiser.

Image caption: Craig's Kitchen at Rock Farm has been opened in memory of Craig Stevens.