Created in collaboration with the charity Beyond Food, our Christmas hampers promise virtual Christmas cheer while making a genuine difference to peoples’ lives.
This Christmas will be one like no other as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Our industry sits at the intersection of some of the hardest hit businesses, with the world of events touching everything from hospitality to travel. There’s no doubt it’s been tough, but the situation has made us think of new ways to work too. After all, our clients are craving the engagement, social interaction and business productivity traditional events used to bring. And as a result, we’ve delivered some genuinely one-of-a-kind virtual sessions this year where the feedback has exceeded all our expectations.
However, our overriding thoughts at this time are rooted in community and looking after the hospitality sector, which has been profoundly affected by the crisis. We’ve worked with Beyond Food for a number of years – a charity that has helped hundreds of individuals out of homelessness through hospitality training and mentoring programmes. It’s been an honour to witness first-hand how so many vulnerable people have been helped out of difficult situations to develop careers and find purpose in life again.
Yet when Covid-19 struck, these very individuals faced redundancy and homelessness once more. In fact, it’s currently estimated that 900,000 hospitality workers are likely to become redundant, and some of these people will be at risk of homelessness too. Beyond Food has responded remarkably, setting up a helpline and creating Made Again – virtual coaching sessions to help hospitality workers apply their skills to new trades. The founder of Beyond Food, chef Simon Boyle, also worked tirelessly during the lockdown to produce the Feast With Purpose cookbook, where dozens of chefs – ranging from Michelin star heroes to inspirational apprentices who have been helped by the Beyond Food programmes – contributed recipes. All proceeds continue to go towards Made Again and supporting vulnerable hospitality workers.
Hampers with Purpose
With Christmas approaching, we wanted to support the incredible difference Beyond Food continues to make with an original idea. Plenty of providers are selling virtual hampers or offering hour-long virtual Christmas parties. But we wanted to capture the spirit of Christmas on a deeper level, while supporting real people in our beloved sector. When we spoke to our clients, they felt the same too. There’s a sincere feeling that 2020 isn’t the year for lavish parties – even if we could all get together in person. Instead it’s a year for embracing the positive things the pandemic has reminded us of. Looking after each other, enjoying simple pleasures and being part of something bigger than ourselves – this is where our mindset feels at home this year.
Blending the Christmas tradition of hampers with the virtual world, our Hampers with Purpose bring together hands-on cooking sessions, foodie treats, tasteful party fun, and a promise that each hamper will include a generous donation to support vulnerable hospitality workers via Beyond Food and the Made Again programme.
Choose from:
- Box 1 – Christmas With Purpose. This hamper includes video instruction from chef Simon Boyle on how to make Christmas Cornish pasties plus the ingredients to make them, a recipe card, bottle of wine and downloadable version of the Feast With Purpose cookbook.
- Box 2 – Party With Purpose. One for cocktail lovers, this hamper includes a live virtual mixology session from Brigade restaurant, ingredients to make three cocktails and two elegant glasses to enjoy them in.
- Box 3 – Feast With Purpose. A hamper for food and drink lovers, this hamper includes a live virtual cooking event where chef Simon Boyle will teach you to make Christmas Cornish pasties, a live virtual mixology class, all the ingredients you’ll need to make your creations and a copy of the Feast With Purpose cookbook.
Find out more about our Hampers With Purpose. Click here to get pdf file.
Community, collaboration and human connections are at the core of what we do, and we’re proud to be supporting Beyond Food and vulnerable hospitality workers this Christmas. Our hampers bring together food treats by an award-winning chef, embrace the true meaning of Christmas and give the opportunity to take part in an original virtual festive experience. Please join us with your employees or loved ones and become part of bringing about real change for real people this Christmas season!