Help the Hungry: Chef Francesco Mazzei calls on public to support those in need

The chef-patron of Mayfair’s Sartoria speaks to Abbianca Makoni as our food truck arrives in Edmonton Green

Chef Francesco Mazzei serves food from our campaign’s truck in Edmonton. (NIGEL HOWARD ©)

Award-winning Italian chef Francesco Mazzei said the pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in disadvantaged communities - and called on those who can to step up and find a way to help.

The chef-patron of Mayfair’s Sartoria spoke out as he helped cook and deliver 300 meals as part of our Help the Hungry campaign to ex prisoners who are now homeless, the unemployed and people with disabilities outside St Edmund’s church in Edmonton Green, north London.

Recipients such as 62-year-old Elizabeth, who has lived on her own throughout the pandemic, gathered around the Independent’s state-of the-art-truck to receive hot pasta with mozzarella and salad from Mr Mazzei and volunteers from our charity partner, With Compassion.

The Calabria-born chef, who opened his own fish restaurant just aged 18, said: “This is all amazing. I mean, I’m going to start to cry now because campaigns and fundraisers like this allow us to truly work together to tackle the issue affecting so many people.”

The black trucks, supplied by Food Truck Masters, have delivered more than a thousand meals cooked by With Compassion volunteers using food supplied by our appeal partner, the Felix Project, to charities across London.

Mr Mazzei added: “Absolutely, the pandemic has highlighted the inequalities. Some people used to go out but now they stay home with no food, no TV, no love - I mean, honestly, it’s bad. Of course the pandemic has made the situation even worse than before.

“Our restaurants are closed but we need to keep the machine going. We’ve got lots of stuff in our fridge about to go off and expire so rather than chucking it all in the bin, we get the stuff in and work for free and cook food for everyone that needs it. Everyone should do this - if they can.” 

This November and December we will be delivering food directly to 1,000 people a day through our partner With Compassion. Please donate here to help us do all we can to ensure no one goes hungry this Christmas.