A raffle was held and the top prize, dinner for two at Jason Atherton’s City Social restaurant at Tower 42, went to Dewberry Redpoint’s MD, Andrew Archer, who kindly offered the prize 22 year-old apprentice, Gavin Fontaine.
Gavin is currently undergoing a 13-month programme at Beyond Food Foundation, ACE’s chosen charity for 2014/15. Six months ago, Gavin was homeless, but the initiative set up by chef founder Simon Boyle has helped Gavin and many other at risk people find employment.
Simon said: “We’re very proud ACE chose us as their charity. Three and a half years ago, I opened Brigade Restaurant in the oldest fire station in London, and since then we have seen over 593 homeless people come through the doors on our Fresh Life programme.
“The apprentices that go on to work with us will spend 6 months in Brigade’s kitchen, learning how to make soup, stock, sauces and ice-cream. They will then do a seven-month work placement, which should result in full-time employment.
“We give them good solid skills so they can get out of the cycle of no home, no job, no home. Without the support of people like ACE, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. ACE's donation will sponsor a homeless person and train them in foodservice, providing them with a new and positive future.”