Leading premium hospitality provider, RA Group has teamed up with global investment firm, Permira to collaborate with the charity Refettorio Felix on ‘Step Up To The Plate’ – a seven-week culinary and life skills course, set up to create a guided pathway to employment within the hospitality sector.
Refettorio Felix serves meals to vulnerable people in a home-from-home environment and turns 1,280 kilos of food, that would otherwise be destined for landfill, into delicious lunches.
Over 1,000 vulnerable people benefit from the services of the centre each year. The support from the Permira Foundation, Restaurant Associates Group (RAG) and Social Business Trust (SBT) builds on strengthening the sustainability of Refettorio Felix as well as creating an imaginative skills programme for the vulnerable people they serve.
With the support of RAG and Permira, Refettorio Felix has been able to design ‘Step Up To The Plate’ which helps individuals at the centre to learn more about nutrition, cooking and also encourages a pre-employability programme for those potentially interested in working in hospitality.
The programme launched with 12 candidates in early September and included modules on culinary skills, health & safety, barista and front of house training, as well as CV writing and interview skills. After an initial induction, the three-hour weekly sessions were delivered over six weeks. In a celebratory finale, the 12 participants were challenged to plan and execute a three-course meal as part of their graduation ceremony.
Alice Woodwark, Managing Director of RA Group, commented, “We’ve supported the excellent work that Refettorio Felix has been doing for over two years and when Permira presented us with an opportunity to further assist some of the vulnerable people that Refettorio Felix support, we jumped at the chance.
'We believe everybody deserves the same opportunity and by working together we hope we can successfully help in providing opportunities for these individuals. Our aspiration is that by providing mentoring and training we will help them on the start of a successful career path within hospitality.”
Alistair Kingsley, CEO of Refettorio Felix, added, “This has been an incredible opportunity for our vulnerable community to learn valuable culinary and life lessons from true professionals and to feel so supported on their journey to possible employment. It’s been a life changing experience for everyone who took part.'
The Permira Foundation is delighted to be involved in this project as it provides an opportunity to support vulnerable and socially isolated individuals in central London. Michail Zekkos, Partner and Head of Permira London, said, “The culinary and life skills programme at Refettorio Felix is a fantastic way to engage with a broad spectrum of individuals who have found themselves isolated by society. This initiative provides a clear purpose and direction for a more promising future.”
Permira and its Foundation works closely with Social Business Trust to support and grow outstanding charities and social enterprises. SBT is proud to have included Refettorio Felix in its network. SBT will help to improve Refettorio Felix’s marketing, sustainability, income generation and provide additional grant funding.
Adele Blakebrough, CEO of SBT, commented, “It’s fantastic to be involved with a charity who is serving some of our most needy citizens. We are so pleased to be able to further support The Permira Foundation and the Restaurants Associates Group in their engagement with Refettorio Felix. We all look forward to deepening our relationship with this exceptional charity.'