The United Synagogue is going into the restaurant trade with the launch of the People’s Pop-up next month.
Based at Barnet Synagogue, the pop-up will offer a weekly lunch service for anyone in the locality.
The hope is to attract customers including isolated older people, users of the US’s asylum seeker drop-in centres, families supported by Jewish charities, clients of the Chipping Barnet Food Bank and those in homeless and domestic abuse shelters in the area.
To reduce waste, much of the food will be donated from surplus stocks and the meals will cost no more than a couple of pounds.
The restaurant is the brainchild of Yael Peleg, director of strategy and development at the US’s Jewish living division, who came up with the idea while working with vulnerable groups in the area.
She said the People’s Pop-up “will offer a dignified dining experience with linen and china. But unlike most restaurants, ours will only be popping up once a week.
“For a small charge, guests will enjoy a nutritious and filling two-course meal served by volunteer waiting staff. We cannot wait to get started and our volunteer chefs are looking forward to the challenge of coming up with delicious meals from different ingredients.”
More volunteers are being sought for the project to assist with sourcing food, preparing the meals and serving diners. Contact Ms Peleg at ypeleg@theus.org.uk for further information.
