Jodie, 16, Dublin

Come dine with me, virtually! Jodie’s idea for the #YSIOpenCall aims to help two groups - people who want to connect with their friends or family, from whom they may be separated at this time, and restaurants looking for new ways to keep their business going.

Her idea is a kind of ‘Come Dine WIth Me’, but from home. A group of four people would register and select a local participating restaurant who would deliver, or arrange for collection, all the ingredients needed for a set menu. Many restaurants are now selling kits to make their meals at home, and so for these restaurants it could be easily done.

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Then the fun begins for participants! Having received their ingredients and the recipe to follow, they join each other on a video call to cook along together. Everyone then votes on who they think did the best job, based on appearance of course!

Jodie says that although we can video call friends, it's not the same as seeing them in person, and it may be uncomfortable for some people who aren’t used to this way of staying in touch. Cooking along and going through the recipes together would give people something to do and help them to connect, especially as it's a shared experience. 

Jodie adds that talking to friends is important for our mental health and resilience, two things needed for lock down and the gradual return to 'normal life'.

Adding some excitement to her idea, she has suggested that the restaurant packs could contain a mystery ingredient or recipe, so as to surprise participants and add to the experience for them, having to cook something new.

Do you have an idea you'd like to submit?