SOULKITCHEN - THE ORIGINAL Vision

Our vision for Vancouver was to use the resources we had been given to serve the poor and lonely in the downtown area. We prepared meals in a well-equipped commercial kitchen in the city centre, providing food for tenants in the More Than a Roof social housing buildings, supporting community programs, and serving on the street.

We have always loved training people—not only in kitchen skills, but in building teams that serve others. What began there grew into something much bigger. We saw, and still see, that when people are given encouragement, responsibility, and the chance to lead, something shifts in them and in the community around them.

Over time, the vision has moved beyond the kitchen. Our focus now is on coaching and mentoring—especially leaders and pastors—helping them build healthy teams and cultures marked by service, hospitality, and courageous, compassionate leadership.

We believed then, and still believe, that when leaders are shaped in this way, communities change. Churches and organisations become places where people are seen, valued, and invited to belong and contribute.

Our purpose was, and remains, to walk alongside leaders, churches, and organisations—equipping them to serve others with clarity, strength, and heart.

The History

 During over 25 years of ministry, we have been working out ways to effectively reach out to the needy in our community.  With a great passion for the poor and the disadvantaged, we built an outreach centre in Perth, Australia.  We started cooking from home, and from these humble beginnings, we saw a vibrant work grow. Very importantly, we were able to activate a community to ‘do the stuff’ to which we are all called. We created a place with great food, a mid-week church service, fellowship for friends, and conversations with caring volunteers who offer friendship, help and hope.

Now we have two bases - Switzerland and Australia -for a season.

We have five adult children and four grandchildren. Hannes originally comes from Switzerland, where he trained as a chef before eventually making his way to Australia. Together, we share a background in hospitality, shaped not only by training but by seasons of living and working in Canada, Sweden, and Switzerland.

For 14 years, we had the privilege of serving in pastoral ministry in Perth. In 2011, we carried the vision of Soulkitchen with us to Vancouver, where it found new expression.

These days, we continue to value the friendships and partnerships we’ve built over the years, particularly in Malaysia and Sri Lanka, where we travel regularly. We’re both ordained Ministers of Religion, and enjoy sharing in churches and workshops. We remain passionate about serving, equipping, and walking alongside others in community.

We now divide our time between Perth, Australia, and Brunnen, Switzerland.

From OUR Vancouver days…

Our IGA Grocery partner, Antony says “Not all the food we bring into our store sells. Perfectly edible food that just isn't fit for our shelves had for years, been thrown into the dumpsters. No more! With Soulkitchen, we've found a partner that takes those damaged, imperfect produce items and turns them into community, hope and nourishment for people who need a helping hand! This really is a feel good story!”