Homelessness has always been an issue in London and while many would prefer it were elsewhere, it exists in every borough, and given the economic times, has more recently got worse.
In Bermondsey, The Manna Society runs a day centre for the homeless, providing things that most of us take for granted: food, a toilet, a shower, clothing, advice and medical services. As they say in their Annual Report:
Our task is to feed and care for homeless people and those in need who seek our help
but there's more to it than that as they comment that:
The Manna Day Centre is a place of unconditional acceptance. Our task as we see it is not to judge but to love. We aim to respect the dignity and worth of each person we come in contact with.
Being a charity of course, resources are scarce. While they feed up to 200 people a day, they often have little more for ingredients than mince and canned veg. As people who live in the (food) community, we are committed this year to helping The Manna Society. As well as helping to supply and prepare food for the Society, we also seek to promote goodwill between the homeless community and the broader Bermondsey community.
We are very lucky to be joined in this effort by Jose Pizarro who will be familiar to many as the man behind two restaurants that bear his name. With both restaurants situated on Bermondsey Street, Jose is a genuine neighbour of The Manna Society and has a hugely generous spirit in community participation.
At the time of writing, we have also received generous support from Green & Blacks chocolate, Andreas fine fruit and vegetables, Charlotte's Bistro, Cornish Grill, Galvin at Windows, Alyn WIlliams at The Westbury, Alan Pickett of Plateau, Michael at Direct Meats,
If you too would like to help, please feel free to contact us or The Manna Society directly.
Chef Dinners Return
In support of The Manna Society, we have decided to host three fund raising Chef Dinners this year. As was the case last year, the chefs participating in these dinners are generously giving their time with no payment to help raise maximum funds for the charity involved.
We are today delighted to announce that the first dinner will be held on Sunday 13th May and will be cooked by James Knappett, with Sandia Chang running front of house. Many of you will be familiar with James and Sandia, but for those of you who are not, James is one of Britain’s most talented young chefs, having worked in some of the best kitchens in the world including Royal Hospital Road, Rick Stein’s, Per Se, Noma, French Laundry at Harrods and The Ledbury. Sandia meanwhile has graced establishments including Bouley NY, Per Se, Noma and Roganic.
James will be cooking here for one night only serving up a never before presented fine dining tasting menu paired with matching wines. As well as enjoying all this, there will be an opportunity throughout the night to talk to James about all things food.
Ten seats are available: eight are available for a minimum donation of £150 while two seats will be packaged up with other special food and drink experiences which will then be auctioned. Announcements will be made both on our website and via Twitter. Interest in the 'donation seats' or 'auction seats' can be made by emailing us (david@thecriticalcouple.com) or by Tweeting us (@criticalcouple).
Please be generous in your support for this worthy cause.
In Bermondsey, The Manna Society runs a day centre for the homeless, providing things that most of us take for granted: food, a toilet, a shower, clothing, advice and medical services. As they say in their Annual Report:
Our task is to feed and care for homeless people and those in need who seek our help
but there's more to it than that as they comment that:
The Manna Day Centre is a place of unconditional acceptance. Our task as we see it is not to judge but to love. We aim to respect the dignity and worth of each person we come in contact with.
Being a charity of course, resources are scarce. While they feed up to 200 people a day, they often have little more for ingredients than mince and canned veg. As people who live in the (food) community, we are committed this year to helping The Manna Society. As well as helping to supply and prepare food for the Society, we also seek to promote goodwill between the homeless community and the broader Bermondsey community.
We are very lucky to be joined in this effort by Jose Pizarro who will be familiar to many as the man behind two restaurants that bear his name. With both restaurants situated on Bermondsey Street, Jose is a genuine neighbour of The Manna Society and has a hugely generous spirit in community participation.
At the time of writing, we have also received generous support from Green & Blacks chocolate, Andreas fine fruit and vegetables, Charlotte's Bistro, Cornish Grill, Galvin at Windows, Alyn WIlliams at The Westbury, Alan Pickett of Plateau, Michael at Direct Meats,
If you too would like to help, please feel free to contact us or The Manna Society directly.
Chef Dinners Return
In support of The Manna Society, we have decided to host three fund raising Chef Dinners this year. As was the case last year, the chefs participating in these dinners are generously giving their time with no payment to help raise maximum funds for the charity involved.
We are today delighted to announce that the first dinner will be held on Sunday 13th May and will be cooked by James Knappett, with Sandia Chang running front of house. Many of you will be familiar with James and Sandia, but for those of you who are not, James is one of Britain’s most talented young chefs, having worked in some of the best kitchens in the world including Royal Hospital Road, Rick Stein’s, Per Se, Noma, French Laundry at Harrods and The Ledbury. Sandia meanwhile has graced establishments including Bouley NY, Per Se, Noma and Roganic.
James will be cooking here for one night only serving up a never before presented fine dining tasting menu paired with matching wines. As well as enjoying all this, there will be an opportunity throughout the night to talk to James about all things food.
Ten seats are available: eight are available for a minimum donation of £150 while two seats will be packaged up with other special food and drink experiences which will then be auctioned. Announcements will be made both on our website and via Twitter. Interest in the 'donation seats' or 'auction seats' can be made by emailing us (david@thecriticalcouple.com) or by Tweeting us (@criticalcouple).
Please be generous in your support for this worthy cause.