Trainee chefs to gain real-world experience at Portsmouth restaurant as part of fundraising event

Trainee chefs will have the chance to gain real-world experience and boost their skills in a Portsmouth restaurant as part of a fundraising event.

Boathouse 4 Kitchen in Portsmouth Historic Quarter will be the backdrop for a first of its kind Kitchen Takeover fundraising event in partnership with Dorset-based charity, The CRUMBS Project.

The event sees four of the charity’s trainees operate the dockyard’s Boathouse 4 Kitchen restaurant on Wednesday, April 22, with 15 per cent of all sales generated on the day going to the charity.

The CRUMBS Project helps to change the lives of adults aged between 18-70 who are living with disabilities, neurodivergences, mental health conditions, stabilised addictions, or acquired brain injuries.

The event provides The CRUMBS Project trainees with invaluable experience of a working hospitality environment. The trainees will help prepare food and refreshments ordered on the day and will support the restaurant’s front of house team.

Lee Whalley, head of operations at The CRUMBS Project, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be collaborating with Boathouse 4 Kitchen. The event provides a fantastic platform for our trainees to showcase their skills, confidence, and dedication in a professional, real-world restaurant setting. Each trainee involved is reaching an important stage in their journey as they grow in confidence and prepare to take their next steps into employment.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support the Boathouse 4 Kitchen team provides. Increased visibility, partnership support, and financial contribution directly benefits our trainees, especially at a time when funding continues to be challenging.”

The Kitchen Takeover event marks three years of partnership between Boathouse 4 Kitchen and The CRUMBS Project.

Rob Mitchell, general manager of Boathouse 4 Kitchen, added: “It’s a privilege to support The CRUMBS Project, a charity that makes such an incredible impact by empowering and equipping disadvantaged individuals with the skills needed to enter the working world.

“We’re delighted to donate 15 percent of all revenue made during the Kitchen Takeover event to further support the charity’s work helping to change the lives of young people across the south.

“Our team looks forward to welcoming guests for lunch with family or coffee and cake with friends, taking in the gorgeous views from the restaurant over Portsmouth Harbour.”

Boathouse 4 Kitchen serves a range of dishes, including breakfast and lunch options, as well as coffee and cake daily from 10am to 4pm (food service is until 3pm).

The menu consists of freshly prepared dishes using locally sourced ingredients, as well as a selection of wines and locally brewed beers. Access to Boathouse 4 Kitchen is included with a free Historic Quarter Pass available at the ticket office or also included in a Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Ticket.

To book a table for The CRUMBS Project Kitchen Takeover event, please visit www.boathouse4restaurant.co.uk