3/9/24 - updated with the opening date and menu
Things move fast in the London restaurant world. Just over a week after we learned that chef Bryn Williams was closing his much-loved Primrose Hill restaurant Odettes after 16 years, a replacement was already lined up.
Home Kitchen sounds like the kind of worthy endeavour that 100% deserves to do well. They're intending to be the world’s first fine dining restaurant to be staffed by homeless people. The idea is to provide employment, training and support. To that end they've brought in a top-level chef to run the place. Adam Simmonds has run two Michelin-starred restaurants as well as being a winner on The Great British Menu, so he knows his way around a fine dining menu.
The restaurant will employ people who meet the description of being designated homeless: so that could be anyone who's sofa surfing, living in hostels, unstable or temporary accommodation or rough sleeping. They'll all have full-time contracts paid above the London Living Wage, with travel expenses and pro catering training and qualifications covered.
Of course, all of this is great, but the food needs to be good too. Adam is responsible for coming up with a seven-course tasting menu which they're saying will be "an unrivalled culinary experience" alongside a three course a lacarte option. Dishes include:
- Duck Terrine / Celeriac / Mustard
- Toasted Barley / Fermented Celeriac / Chervil / Summer Truffle
- Egg Custard Tart / Rhubarb / Nutmeg Ice Cream
We haven't seen a fine dining social endeavour like this since Jamie Oliver first opened Fifteen, so it'll be interesting to see how Home Kitchen does. If it's successful they're planning to roll the concept out to other cities in the UK.
More about Home Kitchen
Where is it? 130 Regent's Park Rd, London NW1 8XL
When does it open? 11 September 2024
Find out more: Help them crowdfund here or follow them on Instagram @homekitchenlondon
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