Tom Aikens: Great British Menu star’s recipe book helps homelessness charity

Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens and homelessness charity Only a Pavement Away have teamed up to release a recipe book, raising money to support homeless people into employment and independent living.

Tom Aikens 5 Minute Feast Cook Book builds on the Great British Menu judge’s #FiveMinuteFeast social media challenge, which raised £5,000 for the Hospitality Against Homelessness Campaign during the first lockdown.

#FiveMinuteFeast saw 200 participants – including chefs Tom Kerridge, Judy Joo and Rickard Bertinet – share their favourite quick meals on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Aikens said: “Through working together for a common cause, we all showed just how much can be achieved and I hope that this spirit will continue to flourish!”

Aikens, who at 26 became the youngest British chef ever to be awarded two Michelin stars, said galvanising support for the charity was a highlight of his year.

Aikens added: “I’ve loved getting to know the whole team at Only A Pavement Away over the past 12 months, and helping to galvanise support.”

Only a Pavement Away founder Greg Mangham said the campaign was a boost for the charity.

“Working in partnership with Tom Aikens has contributed to strengthening our charity even further after a successful year in 2019 getting our members into employment,” said Mangham.

Only a Pavement Away helps homeless people, prison leavers and veterans into careers in hospitality, helping them build solid foundations for a stable life.

“It’s been a delight to have him on board and we’re excited to see where the launch of this cookbook could take the charity,” Mangham added.

Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group, and an Only A Pavement Away trustee, said: “This is a brilliant organisation that is doing everything it can to support those in need, and we couldn’t be happier to be involved.”

The book was sponsored by Caterer.com, a hospitality recruitment platform, and Thomas Franks, a catering company.

Kathy Dyball, Caterer.com brand director, said: ““The Only A Pavement Away Cookbook with Tom Aikens really captures the spirit of the charity – focused on helping others through hospitality.”

She added: “Packed with fantastic recipes from the hospitality family, and led from the front by the incredible Tom, there’s something delicious for everyone to cook in here, plus the recipes have QR code links to some truly entertaining demo videos.”

Frank Bothwell, Thomas Franks founder, said: “Being involved in the development of the cookbook has been a pleasure, especially considering the instrumental impact that the proceeds will have on many people’s lives.”

Hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of losing their homes right now. One UK household is being made homeless every three-and-a-half hours.

You can help stop a potential avalanche of homelessness by joining The Big Issue’s Stop Mass Homelessness campaign. Here’s how:

• Read our 9-point plan to Stop Mass Homelessness
• Sign the petition to add your voice to our campaign to Stop Mass Homelessness
• Join the conversation and share your support using the hashtag #StopMassHomelessness