Prince William introduces star-studded cookbook in aid of homeless charity

Prince William has written the introduction for a new cookbook that celebrates the 40^th anniversary of The Passage homeless charity.

The book includes recipes from more than 100 famous people including Nigella Lawson, Sir Paul McCartney, Stephen Fry, Mary Berry, Yotam Ottolenghi and Gino D’Acampo.

In his introduction to A Taste of Home, William reflected on his own shortcomings in the kitchen, as well as the importance of a hot meal to those without a home.

“I am the first one to admit that I am not an excellent chef. The last time I was allowed into the kitchens at The Passage they very sensibly kept me in the role of sous-chef (aka carrot-chopper).

“On that occasion I ‘made’ a spaghetti bolognese. The dish smelt amazing – probably because I didn’t cook it. But what struck me most was how sharing a hot meal in the canteen at The Passage makes people who are experiencing homelessness feel right at home,” he wrote.

The Duke of Cambridge first visited The Passage as a child in 1993 with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales. He has been a patron of the charity since 2019.

To mark the 40th anniversary of @PassageCharity, Prince William has written the foreword to their upcoming cookbook 'A Taste of Home'.

The book commemorates four decades of charitable work, with all profits going directly towards supporting people who are street homeless. pic.twitter.com/G0kD8qWwXB

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 2, 2020

He also talked about the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on people who are experiencing homelessness.

“All of us will have felt the strain of staying in our homes during the Coronavirus lockdown. But for those without a place to call home, the pandemic has been even more frightening,” he said.

“Thankfully The Passage made sure there was a route off the streets and into safety. Staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly on the frontline, looking after the most vulnerable in society. At the peak of the crisis, they established a mobile Food Hub, providing hot, nutritious meals every day for over 300 people.”

Established in 1980, The Passage is the UK’s largest resource centre for homeless and insecurely housed people and has helped over 130,000 people in crisis through its resource centre, homelessness prevention projects and two innovative accommodation services.

Mick Clarke, chief executive of The Passage, said: “This special book plays a very important role in the continuing story of The Passage. It is a celebration of people coming together to help those in need. At a time when many of our clients are new to the streets, having become homeless as a result of the pandemic and economic crisis, that need has never been greater.”

He added: “Street homelessness can be ended; everyone at The Passage is determined that we will do all we can to play our part in helping to do just that.”

The book has been compiled by Passage volunteer and former publisher Kyle Cathie and will be published on 15 October 2020. It can be pre-ordered here.