Food critic and Great British Menu judge Matthew Fort has given a charity cookbook a huge thumbs up.
Carl Benton, who owns Personal Best studio in Woodchester, has created a cookery book to help raise much-needed funds for Stroud Women’s Refuge.
He has collected and curated over 50 recipes from famous chefs and local restaurants for this project. Interwoven between each section of recipes are words of encouragement and support that will hopefully help you grow in confidence and inspire you to cook more. There are also facts and figures about the refuge that may stir the emotions and prompt you to do more! The book also has several works by local artists. https://www.personalbeststudio.co.uk/inspired.html
“Carl Benton’s initiative in putting together a cookbook to raise money for Stroud Women’s Refuge is admirable in every way,” said Fort.
“It is a remarkable charity, and its resources are more needed than ever. It needs all our support. It has mine. Please help by buying this book. It’s not a lot to ask, but collectively you can give a great deal.”

Carl added: “We believe that this project will touch many hearts and raise much-needed funds and awareness for the refuge. The new cookbook, which is donating all profits to Stroud Women’s Refuge, includes recipes from Gloucestershire’s very own Tom Kerridge and is available to pre-order now.
“Alongside Tom Kerridge, Diana Henry, Thomasina Miers, the book features recipes from local favourites such as Jolly Nice, Wilder and the Bell at Selsley. All profits from the sale of the book will go to Stroud Women’s Refuge, which relies solely on the generosity of donors to offer accommodation and support services to women and their children who have been affected by domestic abuse.”
The cookbook, which is self-funded and relies on pre-orders to meet production costs, goes on sale in September 2021, costs £20.
For more information, or to pre-order a book, visit inspiredcookbook.co.uk.
“Carl Benton’s initiative in putting together a cookbook to raise money for Stroud Women’s Refuge is admirable in every way. It is a remarkable charity, and its resources are more needed than ever. It needs all our support. It has mine. Please help by buying this book. It’s not a lot to ask, but collectively you can give a great deal.”
Matthew Fort – Great British Menu judge