Three of Bath’s best known chefs are championing this year’s Genesis Souper November campaign, in a bid to raise money for the city’s homeless and vulnerable.
Rachel Demuth of Demuth’s Vegetarian Cookery school, Chris Staines of Allium Brasserie and Rob Clayton of Clayton’s Kitchen are backing the fundraiser which encourages people to hold soup parties throughout the month to raise money for the Genesis Trust.
Thirteen Bath restaurants and farm shops are also backing the campaign, donating a share of their soup profits to Genesis in November.
They will also be selling a special soup cookbook for just £4, featuring recipes from awarding chefs in Bath including Richard Bertinet and Sam Moody.
Providing soup and ensuring homeless and vulnerable people have access to food, emotional support and training opportunities is at the heart of what Genesis does in its ten projects in the city.
With winter ahead and the numbers of rough sleepers in the city showing no signs of decreasing, the charity needs more money to cope with increasing demand for its services.
The chefs said: “We hope the people of Bath will join us to raise funds to help Genesis in its vital work in the city. Soup is nutritious and full of flavour, it’s also a pleasure to make, eat and share.
“Please get behind this campaign and have some fun holding soup parties with family and friends this November.”
Genesis has just marked 25 years of its soup run in Bath with a party for the hundreds of volunteers who serve soup to homeless people 365 nights a year.
Volunteers from 15 city churches work on a rota basis making soup, sandwiches and cake and last year served up an astounding 11,800 portions of soup at their outdoor base in the Cattle Market carpark.
In 2014 Souper November raised over £8,000 and this year’s target is to raise over £10,000.
The charity is urging people to serve soup at Bonfire night parties and has devised a tasty pumpkin soup for just that occasion.
The chefs have also provided recipes to inspire those taking part. Rachel has created a Nettle soup to appeal to foragers, Chris a seasonal Parsnip and Chesnut soup with Ceps and Rob a homely Chicken, Leek and Potato broth.
All the recipes and information on the campaign are available at: www.genesistrust.org.uk/soupernovember.
Director of the Genesis Trust, Paul Solly said: “We hope people in Bath will have fun taking part in Souper November – it’s a very easy concept to engage with.
“By holding a soup party for friends, family or work colleagues you can help disadvantaged people in the city.”
