Emma Action for Children help transform the lives of ex-prisoners with jobs as chefs
Last night saw the Action for Children Yes Chef! Event at the Hilton hotel in Glasgow. We are extremely proud supporters of the Yes Chef! programme, and Mrs Foodie is a committee member.
Yes Chef! is a 12-week programme run by Action for Children’s ‘Moving on Scotland’ service. Through the programme, the participants attend training at Tennents Training Academy as well as restaurants such as Red Onion, The Finnieston and popular pop-up Section 33.
The boys taking part worked with Section 33 to develop a menu that would not only showcase delicious produce but also illustrate their new-found skills.
During the dinner there was a kitchen on stage where guests could watch the boys prep and cook.
In between videos showing the boys learning their new skills and their background stories, we were treated to a Saturday Kitchen style omelette challenge with one of the boys and Hardeep Singh Kohli.
I must admit, it was the funniest omelette challenge ever, where Hardeep was narrowly beaten.
Another part of the night was to raise funds for Yes Chef! to enable the project to continue. Mr Foodie tried to win a years supply of Porelli ice cream, but was beaten! Maybe next time.
Hardeep Singh Kohli spoke with those who provided the training – on stage are Kained Holdings (the firm which runs popular Glasgow bars and restaurants such as The Finnieston, Porter & Rye and more!) Tennents Training Academy and John Quigley from Red Onion.
The food was delicious, all six courses and I particularly liked the seabass on mussel chowder and the spiced lamb.
There was also great news on the night as two of the participants have secured jobs with Kained Holdings. This was boosted by the knowledge that over £46k was raised for Yes Chef! enabling the project to continue and help young men gain skills to get the opportunity to gain employment. It was a great night that I was privileged to be a part of!
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