Lamb Weston and the Burnt Chef Project join forces

Potato product supplier Lamb Weston has announced a new partnership with the Burnt Chef Project, an initiative that cares for the mental health of hospitality workers.

Research by the project last year showed that nearly four in five people in hospitality in the UK are likely to suffer mental ill health, compared to one in four people across the population as a whole as reported by the NHS.

“This needs to change,” said Kris Hall, founder of the Burnt Chef Project. Hall witnessed first-hand the issues suffered by colleagues in his nine years in the business.

“Working conditions in the hospitality industry are a breeding ground for psychological issues, brought about by high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and not forgetting the impact that long working hours and stressful working conditions have on personal relationships with friends and families.

“The Burnt Chef Project's aim is simple: to put a stop to the stigma surrounding mental health within hospitality, aid employers in workplace adjustments and let people know they are not alone.”

Andrea Deutschmanek, country marketing manager UK & ROI for Lamb Weston, said: “The Burnt Chef Project has created a cookbook that is bursting with motivational dishes and includes contributions from chefs across the hospitality industry, showcasing their ‘special treat’ dish. We’ve purchased a number of licenses so that we can use the books as giveaways to share their inspiration, help encourage others and raise some money for the cause.”