Industry leaders return to the floor to raise £20,000 for Only a Pavement Away

30 January 2020 by
Only a Pavement Away group picture

Industry leaders went back to the floor to support charity Only a Pavement Way (OAPA) yesterday, preparing and serving lunch to 255 guests at the Freemasons' Hall in Covent Garden, London.

The Cook & Dine event raised £20,000 and saw Greene King CEO Nick MacKenzie, Carluccio's CEO Mark Jones, Coaching Inn group CEO Kevin Charity, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls and The Caterer's editor Chris Gamm join others to serve the meal.

Leading the front of house team were Janene Pretorius and Johanna Wimmer of the Ivy Collection while Tom Kerridge's team took charge in the kitchen, led by Chris Mackett, development chef at the two-Michelin-starred Hand of Flowers in Bray.

Kerridge said: "My team and I are absolutely delighted to be involved with Only A Pavement Away, and this unique event. It's a great charity that's giving vulnerable people an opportunity to find stability and build a career in an industry that I love and am passionate about. Hospitality has given me so much and I'm really happy to be able to help this brilliant initiative."

OAPA assists vulnerable people who have experienced challenging circumstances such as being homeless, spending time in prison, or readjusting to life outside the forces, helping them find employment in the hospitality industry.

Charity founder Greg Mangham added: "This event is all about raising awareness and money for Only A Pavement Away so that we can help more people to get back on their feet through a career in our thriving industry.

"The idea behind today was to showcase the fact that no matter your background, you can be part of a great team. And no matter who you are, in this industry we work together, we cook together, and we dine together."

By working with charities including Crisis and Shelter OAPA has so far placed 65 candidates with 44 employers.

Mangham added: "It's absurd that so many people don't have a roof over their heads or that ex-offenders often leave prison with just a few pounds in their pockets and nowhere to go. Often, people just need a helping hand and a chance."

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking