To celebrate ‘National Hospitality Day’, HIT’s Chef Academy partnered with Sodexo UK & Ireland to host a pop-up kitchen that served more than 1600 free meals in just one day! The event, which had been rescheduled due to the passing of the Queen, took place on Saturday December 10th at St Luke’s Community Centre in South Islington, London.
The kitchen, headed up by HIT Chef Academy Principal Paul Mannering, was staffed by volunteers including HIT apprentices currently taking part in the Sodexo Live Academy with Raymond Blanc, as well as St Luke’s junior chefs and local volunteers.
The team created and served more than 1600 meals free of charge to hundreds of local people in a huge effort to support the local community including low income families and people who find themselves homeless.
The menu included a delicious choice of porchetta stuffed with lemon, date and mushrooms, vegetarian kibbeh and mutton curry, with sticky toffee and dairy free toffee sauce or white chocolate blondies for dessert.
For those unable to visit the centre on the day, around 400 meals were delivered to families in need including Ukrainian refugees.
“We’re proud to say nothing went to waste,” says Principal Paul, who thanked all the volunteers who helped out on the day, including the team from St Luke’s Community Centre. “A big thanks goes to Sodexo for supporting us with staff and apprentices who worked tirelessly in the kitchen and dining room to make the day a massive success.”
HIT Chef Academy Vice Principal Mark Belford adds: “We are passionate about celebrating National Hospitality Day as a way of showcasing all that’s great about UK hospitality and what a huge role the industry plays in local communities. We had a fantastic day and some fantastic food. Thank you to everyone who helped!”
