Ben's unsung heroes 'I FEEL SO INSPIRED'

The TV chef is championing the talents of his latest restaurant recruits

- Elise Cacace

Losing his grandmother Joan Green last year to dementia meant top Kiwi chef Ben Bayly already had a deep understanding of the condition. So when he was asked to return to TV to be a part of The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes, the decision was an easy one.

“My grandmother’s death was a traumatic experience for our family and left a mark on me,” he shares. “I think about her every day. She was a special lady and I love her so much. I just jumped at the opportunity to use my skills to help people.”

The series follows eight volunteers all living with various stages of dementia, who are working under Ben’s guidance at one of his restaurants, The Grounds.

“People with dementia still have a lot to give,” insists the 43-year-old. “When they are stimulated and given a purpose, they are filled with confidence and can achieve lots.”

Ben – who is also the owner of restaurants Ahi, Aosta and Origine – says he loved watching the volunteers overcome tough situations throughout the episodes. The participants served some highprofile Kiwis, including TV chef Michael Van de Elzen and TVNZ journalist Jack Tame.

“We had so much fun,” he recalls. “They are all good, brave people, showing their weakness to the whole of New Zealand. Seeing them still have a sense of humour about life was so inspiring.”