Our story
Our mission
Our work is grounded in the social, physical, emotional and environmental impact of a shared meal made from surplus ingredients. We’re committed to creating a more equal and more caring society where everyone can feel supported and empowered to live their lives to the fullest. Many of our guests come for lunch and then stay for the warmth, care, inclusion and community they find at the Centre.
Our journey
St Cuthbert’s Centre is a registered charity that has operated as a day centre in Earl’s Court for people in need for over 30 years. In 2017, it was transformed into Refettorio Felix at St Cuthbert’s through a collaboration with Chef Massimo Bottura’s non-profit, Food for Soul, becoming the first Refettorio outside of Italy. With this came a shift in our ethos, developing a greater focus on hospitality and restaurant-quality food, often delivered by renowned guests chefs, as well as an expansion of our additional support services. We also then began our partnership with The Felix Project, whose regular donations of rescued surplus food supply our kitchen with the ingredients to create varied, nutritious meals for our guests each day.
In 2021, we expanded again, adding a new wing of therapeutic spaces called our Green Rooms. The Green Rooms have enabled us to grow our mental health and wellbeing services provision - something that has always been important to our mission, but further underscored by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and several UK lockdowns.
Over the years, we’ve created invaluable relationships, broken bread with some wonderful friends and felt inspired every day. But we’re still constantly reflecting and organising to respond to the needs of our community and society more broadly. Our story is far from over - and we’re so excited to see where we go next…
Space
We’re big believers in the power of our surroundings to influence health, self-esteem and wellbeing. Coming into a beautiful and uplifting space each day, our guests are encouraged to tell their stories and heal.
Design
The old hall was renovated by award-winning interior designer Ilse Crawford whose elegant touch has created the welcoming ambience of the Centre we know and love today where our guests can experience the hospitality of a restaurant and the comfort of a living room.
In 2021, the Centre expanded with the addition of our new Green Rooms - two dedicated therapy spaces designed by Minnie Kemp where we are able to host a range of therapeutic services and group activities.
Our collaborations
Food for Soul is a non-profit organisation founded by Chef Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore to empower local communities to reduce food waste and support social inclusion. By enabling the transformation of people, places and food, Food for Soul builds a culture of value that strengthens community resilience, opens opportunities for social and economic mobility and builds healthier and more equitable food systems.
The Felix project is a food redistribution charity rescuing good, surplus food from the food industry that cannot be sold and would otherwise go to waste. Collecting food from over 539 suppliers, they deliver this food to almost 1000 front-line charities, primary schools and holiday programmes in London, helping feed rough sleepers, people with mental health difficulties, or those who simply can’t afford to buy regular, healthy food.
“The gesture of sitting down to a meal and breaking bread together is the first step toward rebuilding dignity and creating community”
— Chef Massimo Bottura