A Michelin-Starred Chef Just Reopened a Restaurant for a Good Cause

London’s Primrose Hill just got a new spot for Mediterranean flavors, charcuterie, and eventually, a speakeasy cocktail bar. But 130 Primrose isn't just another swanky eatery. It's a newly registered charity, and its executive chef is none other than MasterChef judge Monica Galetti.

Because apparently, running a critically acclaimed kitchen and judging culinary hopefuls wasn't quite enough. Now, she's also a trustee for a restaurant dedicated to hiring and training people who have experienced homelessness. Talk about putting your toque where your heart is.

The Recipe for a Second Chance

Located at 130 Regent’s Park Road, the restaurant opened its doors on May 8th. Its mission is beautifully straightforward: offer paid work, certified training, and a real path to long-term careers in the notoriously demanding hospitality industry for those who need it most.

Galetti, who also volunteers at Soup Kitchen London, will be guiding the menu and training programs. Head chef Eric Zhang will keep the kitchen humming day-to-day. The menu starts with Mediterranean notes, eventually weaving in touches of Galetti’s Samoan heritage. Lunch offers sandwiches and salads, while evenings feature charcuterie and cheese. And yes, that speakeasy-style cocktail bar downstairs is set to open next month. Because everyone deserves a good cocktail and a fresh start.

The restaurant seats 50 guests and is open seven days a week from 9 AM, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed, brasserie-style setting. There's even outdoor seating for those rare sunny London days.

This isn't their first rodeo. The project started in 2024 as a social enterprise, employing 16 people affected by homelessness, including refugees and those in addiction recovery. Five of them landed permanent jobs in hospitality, which is a good start, but the team behind 130 Primrose believes they can do even more.

Each employee will receive a six-month contract, working either front-of-house or in the kitchen, earning qualifications like food hygiene and allergen awareness certifications. After their stint, they'll get help finding more opportunities in the industry. It's a pretty solid deal, especially when you consider the chronic staff shortages the hospitality sector faces. Two birds, one really well-cooked stone.

Michael Brown, co-founder and trustee, puts it simply: "Too often, people facing homelessness are excluded from work and written off by society." He points out that this venture helps close both gaps, proving that talent isn't exclusive to one postcode. The name 130 Primrose itself is a nod to prima rosa, Latin for spring and new beginnings. Fitting, no?

Take Ade, a father of three who joined the kitchen while experiencing homelessness. He's now had continuous full-time employment for 18 months with Soup Kitchen London. Or Seb, who went from prison to homelessness, discovered a talent for cooking, and later worked with a Michelin-starred chef. "These are people with an extraordinary life experience doing extraordinary things with the right support," Brown observed. "Employment brings dignity, belonging, and a future."

The charity is already hiring candidates through its partner organizations, with an eye on expanding to other UK cities. The goal? To become a recognized source of skilled talent for the hospitality industry and, perhaps more importantly, to shift perceptions of homelessness. Because good food and a good story are a powerful combination.