Michelin-starred Chef Comes To The Aid Of Yorkshire Restaurant And Social Enterprise

Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens has helped Sheffield-based social enterprise, restaurant and events space Blend Kitchen save thousands of pounds on high-specification professional kitchen equipment.

Sheffield-based Blend Kitchen provides opportunities to adults who often face barriers when looking for employment, offering them training and advice to either receive employment in-house or within their wide hospitality network spreading beyond Sheffield.

Having recently moved premises leaving their old home at the beginning of the first lockdown in March 2020, their new restaurant on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield’s “foodie mile”, is looking to fully open its doors as soon as Government restrictions allow.

The equipment that Tom was able to provide Blend Kitchen with will not only help in the commercial element of the restaurant, but also their extensive training programmes with people who may not ordinarily get such an opportunity within a professional kitchen.

Regarding the support of Tom Aikens, Chris said:
“We are absolutely thrilled with the help that Tom has been able to give Blend Kitchen.

“When we had to vacate our old premises, we weren’t sure what was going to be our next step. However, what we have seen since is an abundance of kindness and goodwill from so many different organisations and people.

“From our new premises, its interior design, our new branding and the funding we have been awarded, the support has been phenomenal, and now Tom has continued this by helping to kit-out our kitchen with the best equipment.

“I truly believe that people see the good we do every day at Blend Kitchen, and really understand the mission we have of ‘good food does good’.

Regarding his support for Blend Kitchen, Tom Aikens said: “I’m very happy to be able to help out Blend Kitchen. Their work is so important, and especially as what they are doing is so close to home.”

Blend Kitchen will be opening for al-fresco dining from the 14th April from Wednesday to Saturday in-line with Government guidelines.

For more information on Blend Kitchen, visit www.blendkitchen.co.uk

For more information on Tom Aikens, visit tomaikens.co.uk