‘We need to use this Covid-19 crisis as a wake-up call to help those in need’ says top chef

Help The Hungry: Christopher Evans-Gordon on making food for NHS workers and people in need

The Family Meals initiative has provided more than 6,000 meals for frontline NHS workers and those in need (Adam Slama)

A collective of top London chefs and hospitality workers came together to produce thousands of meals for those who are struggling to access food during the coronavirus lockdown.

After two of his restaurants temporarily closed under the lockdown measures, Christopher Evans-Gordon was left sitting at home wondering how he could use his expertise and empty kitchen sites to help those in need.

He formed the Family Meals initiative, a charitable organisation that provides nutritious meals prepared by industry professionals for those who have been affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. In under just two weeks of operation, Christopher, his co-founder Aidan Christofferson and the team of chefs have already provided more than 5,000 meals to NHS workers and those in need.

Family Meals is working with Food 4 Heroes and The Felix Project to supply and distribute their meals. The group has already received lots of endorsement, with singer Birdy and actor Anya-Taylor Joy sharing their appeal, and former home secretary Amber Rudd has become a patron.

Christopher shares how the Family Meals initiative continues to grow.

How and why did you get involved with The Felix Project?

“I co-own a couple of restaurants in London and I was sitting at home a couple of weeks ago and I thought we’ve got all of this space that we’re not using and all of my staff that have been furloughed but are still keen to do stuff.

I sent a couple of messages online and got a reply back within 15 minutes from someone working a night shift for the London Ambulance Service who requested 130 meals for Easter Sunday.

I just sort of cobbled those meals together and having done those meals we realised we could do loads more with the setup we’ve got.

We started fundraising and we went into production about two-and-a-half weeks ago and we’ve now hit more than 6,000.

I didn’t expect much to come of it at first but so many of my friends with different skill sets have been able to get involved. We’ve had graphic designers, artists and photographers come down to help out. It’s gone from zero to an idea in absolutely no time.

We’ve now been setup with the Walthamstow hub and Felix comes every day at 12 noon to pick up some meals and then the charity distributes them from one of their hubs.”

How have you seen demand change over the past six weeks?

“We’ve only really started this operation since the lockdown began. From the various conversations I’ve had with the people that we’re supplying there seems to be an infinite need for food.

I’m looking to eventually take on another two kitchens. Then our daily production would go up to about 1,500.

I’m in constant communication with The Felix Project and trying to find out if everything we’re doing is needed and at every occasion they’ve basically said yes.

We distribute some meals ourselves as we’re also working for Food 4 Heroes.

I’ve got a friend who works in a critical care unit in hospital and currently in negotiations about how we’re going to do a drop-off for their staff as well.

We generally structure our meals based on a carb, so either a pasta or something like a cous cous and then try to work to a 50-50 carb to vegetable ratio, as long as it can fit in our budget.

Originally when we started we wanted to just help the NHS and then from additional feedback from depos and different sources, we’re now looking to transition to a 70-30 split between people in need and the NHS.

NHS workers need support and we are supporting them, but I think that people who were in need before are more prevalent in need now.

I think a lot of people are looking after the NHS but there’s no one really making a band wagon for homeless people, refugees or children who were going to school without food before the Covid-19 crisis.”

Is there a single incident or person who embodies what you are trying to achieve?

“The pinnacle moment for us was when our Justgiving page was on about £7,000. I got a call from an anonymous donor who said if we can get to £10,000 they will give us another £10,000.

We hit our target last week and then that extra money will be coming in the next week and that has enabled us to have a bit more of a cushion.

Before we were having to constantly fight with our suppliers and say can you just give us an extra four days, I’ll pay it when I get my donations in.

We want to fix this Covid-19 crisis but we want to use this as a springboard to set something that we can do regularly.”

How much more help is needed for those in need?

“I think there’s an infinite need. The people who are struggling on food poverty now, over 70 to 80 per cent would have been struggling before.

I think the need is absolutely massive. I think we should use this crisis period as a real wake-up call that there are a lot of things that people are starting now that we should all have been doing already.”

What would you say to someone who is thinking about donating to the Help The Hungry campaign?

“I would say as long as you’re safely provided for, please give everything that you can.

I think it’s the responsibility of anyone who is able to, to give any amount that they can at the moment.”