A pioneering ‘surplus with purpose’ café, Charlie’s Angels Kitchen, has been awarded the prestigious Community Contribution Award at the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society Annual Awards 2024. The award recognises the café’s significant impact on the local community by tackling food waste and addressing food insecurity.
Charlie’s Angels Kitchen is Royal Tunbridge Wells’ first ‘pay-as-you-feel’ ethical eatery. The café is transforming surplus food destined for landfill into delicious meals, offering a diverse menu inspired by what is available, including vegetarian and vegan stews, casseroles, curries, and freshly baked goods.
The visionary behind the café, Charlie Moore, expressed her excitement about the recognition. “I’m absolutely chuffed to receive this award! It’s wonderful to see our efforts in reducing food waste and feeding our community acknowledged in such a meaningful way. Every meal we serve represents a step towards a more sustainable future, and I’m proud to be part of a community that cares.”
Charlie’s Angels Kitchen operates as a not-for-profit community interest company, heavily reliant on the support of 50 dedicated volunteers – affectionately known as ‘angels’ – who contribute their time and skills to help the café thrive.
“When I first set up the GoFundMe and raised £750, I couldn’t have imagined how far it would take us. With that initial support, I was able to buy some essential equipment, a gazebo, and launch our first pop-up. It’s incredible to see how something that started so small has grown into a permanent café. The community has rallied behind us from the very beginning, and I’m beyond grateful for every contribution that’s helped turn this dream into a reality.”
“Without our amazing volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Their enthusiasm and hard work make a real difference in our mission to provide nutritious meals to those in need.”
The café’s landlord, employee-owned trust expert Chris Maslin, of Go EO also praised Charlie’s work: “It’s great to support people like Charlie. She’s full of enthusiasm and is making a wonderful difference to the local community.
“I’m delighted that the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society has formally recognised her efforts. “As random as it sounds, I had some unused restaurant space near our office, and Charlie was looking for a more permanent place to work from. It seemed like fate brought us together!”
“I am incredibly grateful to Chris for supporting our mission,” Charlie said. “I’d read about similar organisations finding a landlord who truly believed in their work and offered a space at a peppercorn rent. When I used to talk about that dream, people would laugh and wish me luck. But I don’t believe it’s luck—it’s love. We’re committed to supporting our community and our planet with love, so it feels only natural that we’d find the kindest landlord in town to join us on this journey.”
With food supplied by local farms and supermarkets and through partnerships with organisations like FareShare, Charlie’s Angels Kitchen not only provides meals but also fosters a sense of community and sustainability. Customers can choose to pay what they can afford, ensuring that everyone has access to healthy food.
For more information about Charlie’s Angels Kitchen and their mission, please visit https://www.charliesangelskitchens.co.uk.