The Burnt Chef Project was launched in May 2019 by former hospitality industry supplier, Kris Hall, with the sole intention of eradicating mental health stigma across the UK’s hospitality industry.
Research by the project last year showed that nearly 4 in 5 people in hospitality in the UK are likely to suffer ill mental health, compared to 1 in 4 people across the population as a whole as reported by the NHS.
“This needs to change,” says Kris, who witnessed first-hand the issues suffered by colleagues in his nine years in the business. “Working conditions in the hospitality industry are a breeding ground for psychological issues, brought about by high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and not forgetting the impact that long working hours and stressful working conditions have on personal relationships with friends and families.
“The Burnt Chef Project's aim is simple. To put a stop to the stigma surrounding mental health within hospitality, aid employers in workplace adjustments and let people know that they are not alone.”
Andrea Deutschmanek, Country Marketing Manager UK & Ireland, Lamb Weston; “The Burnt Chef Project has created a cookbook that is bursting with motivational dishes and includes contributions from chefs across the hospitality industry, showcasing their ‘special treat’ dish. We’ve purchased a number of licenses so that we can use the books as giveaways to share their inspiration, help encourage others and raise some money for the cause.”
Lamb Weston and The Burnt Chef Project will also be working across each other’s social media channels to help raise awareness of this huge problem and have many more activities in the pipeline, as well as collaboration with other brands and chefs, including some stimulating food ideas and top product raffles.
Look out for more exciting developments in Lamb Weston’s new partnership!
To find out how you can get involved and help your staff and your business, go to:
www.theburntchefproject.com
For innovative ideas, recipes and potato inspiration, head over to www.lambweston.eu/uk, call 0800 963962 or email us at salesUK@lambweston.eu