The kitchen, an initiative of the Truth and Liberation Concern Church and the Bayswater North Community Renewal Project, offers participants the opportunity to cook simple meals for $2.50-$3 a serve.

TLC Church office manager Sue Smith said the kitchen would help people who struggled to feed a growing family on a limited budget or who felt unmotivated to cook when living alone. "The current financial situation makes it tough to eat well for both families and single people.

"We ran the community kitchen last year. It was a huge success and many new friendships were formed.

"One young man who barely cooked before coming to the community kitchen now cooks for himself every night of the week and is helping us to establish a vegie garden here at TLC."

Maroondah councillor Natalie Thomas said the concept involved a group of like-minded individuals coming together regularly to socialise and cook before enjoying affordable and nutritious meals.

"Participants come from all walks of life and past community kitchens have comprised young and old people, people who live alone and people with growing families."

The Bayswater North Community Kitchen is open on Wednesdays from April 21 at the church, 265 Canterbury Road, Bayswater North. Details: Robyn Williams, 92945737 or 0419334032.