BBC Masterchef finalist Steve Kielty has made a name for himself on the London supper club circuit – but last week he did something a little different at an event in Soho.
For the first time ever, his sous-chefs and waiting staff were young people supported by youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, as part of a culinary hospitality course. The meal was a truly collaborative effort with the young people designing and preparing the meals based on their own favourite dishes with Steve at a celebratory event at Centrepoint’s Soho base.
The dishes included Jerk Cauliflower with mango hot sauce, and smoked aubergine with labneh canapés.
The young people had spent several weeks on a course, and then prepared for the 20 guests a few days prior the event, perfecting the dishes with Steve himself.
Steve Kielty took part in BBC1’s Masterchef in 2017 and got through to the final three contestants and has since held several supper clubs.
The budding chefs were participating on the charity’s Get Set Go hospitality and catering programme, which offers Centrepoint young people the opportunity to gain qualifications and to participate in relevant work experience in the hospitality sector.
Wendy Gurr, Training Manager at Centrepoint, explained the importance of the Supper Club:
“The night was a success! The young people worked really hard and created some really tasty food. We are so grateful to Steve for supporting Centrepoint’s very own budding Masterchefs, as they learn their trade in a professional kitchen.
“Steve’s supper club is just the kind of experience they need right now, when a good job that’s secure and well paid is perhaps more important than ever. Providing young people with the skills they need to get into the world of work is always a priority for us – but to have 20 paying guests leaving full and satisfied, is another challenge on top of learning something new and they were amazing.”
Last year, the number of young people facing homelessness rose for a fifth consecutive year to nearly 122,000. London, as a region, still has one of the highest counts of youth homelessness – last year 15,200 young people in the capital were facing homelessness. Centrepoint warns that rising bills and prices and the recent Universal Credit cut could mean this number rises even further.
For more information on Centrepoint and to donate to the charity visit centrepoint.org.uk. To see more of Steve’s work follow him on Instagram and Twitter @steve_kielty.
