The charity Soul Kitchen Chester recently enlisted a new hospitality leader. Steven Hesketh will now serve as a Special Advisor to the board of the not-for-profit which was set up to provide crucial support for people facing social isolation, food poverty and homelessness.
Hesketh’s new position is designed to formalise his continuing partnership with the charity which completely operated by volunteers. It also hails an important step in the growth of Soul Kitchen. Launched in 2015, the charity initiative features a drop-in format on Saturdays that lets guests access essential items of clothing, a hot meal along with support in a secure and judgement-free environment at Campbell Community Hall.
At Northgate Church, it also runs an event called “Soul in a Bowl” on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These practical cooking sessions let participants learn and develop their kitchen skills, build self-confidence and sit down to a shared meal in an empowering and supportive space.
Soul Kitchen’s weekly events continue to show that compassion and community are at the heart of true hospitality. The charity recently launched a fresh initiative called The Sunset Café with Chester Townhouse Hotel. Held within the city’s celebrated accommodator, the Café is open evet Friday between 11 am and 3 pm. Serving simple but wholesome fare, it supplies a training camp for people impacted by homelessness to learn employable skills and build confidence while gaining hospitality experience.
Known as “The Hospitality Hero” for his tireless efforts in the industry supporting community and inclusivity, Hesketh brings decades of experience to his new role.