Raising money for the charity, which supports unemployed 18-25 year olds through its education to employment training course, the event raised over £4,000 as Roux at Parliament Square’s executive chef, Steve Groves and Michel Roux Jr. served the 40 guests a menu of Cumbrian shorthorn beef and a chocolate and hazelnut dessert.
Organised by Compass Group UK & Ireland’s graduate programme colleagues, who were challenged to turn £400 into £4,000 for 2nd Chance through planning and organising their own projects at the beginning of the year, this was the second event that they’ve hosted for the charity.
Graduate Jenna Greenway said: “We had such a brilliant evening raising much needed funds for the 2nd Chance charity. It has been great working with them to get a good insight into how they help young people back into employment across London. We hope the event has also raised awareness of the great work the charity does.”
James Boyle, managing director at Restaurant Associates, added: “We’re extremely proud to be partnering with 2nd Chance and it’s great to have kick-started our fundraising efforts with a brilliant evening organised by two of our talented Compass graduates. We’re a people-powered business, so we really see the value and importance of the work 2nd Chance is doing and we hope to raise more for this brilliant charity later this year.”
Having pledged its support, Restaurant Associates will also take on students for work placements in attempt to “build confidence and develop a range of skills that will help to kick start their careers,” it said.
Chief executive of Unlocking Potential (the charity that coordinates the 2nd Chance Programme), Annabel Bates said: “We’re extremely pleased to have been chosen as the official charity partner to Restaurant Associates, and we’re very grateful for the brilliant fundraising efforts so far. The money raised will go a long way in supporting our associates to develop their careers.”