Chefs preparing lunch at the inaugural conference of the Congress of the People (Cope) in Bloemfontein went to the extent of ensuring that delegates received "a little something extra" for the sweet tooth.

Large white boxes on Monday contained a healthy fruit, a salad, a piece of chicken fillet and roll, and for snacks ? a packet of chips and a bar of chocolate.

Delegates could choose a beverage of their choice to go with their lunch.

They were served at a dining space set up behind the Callie Human building at the University of the Free State, which became the official birthplace of the breakaway at the weekend.

"And everyday, the meals are different but there is always variety," inaugural conference organizer, Lucky Thekisho said.

The chefs were part of the catering company, Khulani.

Itshokeng Motheogane, a Gauteng volunteer helping with catering said: "Volunteers took the boxes, placed them on milk carts and moved it to the different dining rooms where the delegates were seated, before serving them.

She said delegates were "very lucky to get so much" because the chefs really "thought hard" about what to serve them.

Another catering volunteer said: "This meal is not just anything that's thrown together...delegates are getting a great variety and I don't think any other political party would cater for their members the way Cope has."

Without putting a price tag on the daily meals for the 4000-strong members, Thekisho said: "It's just very expensive for a party starting out with no funds.

"We are just grateful for the support we are getting and appreciative of the commitment of the 385 volunteers, who travelled far to serve the people and Cope."