JamieOliver.com

I attended a fantastic supper club at Fifteen on Sunday the 5th February . The supper club was to raise money for San Patrignano's yearly open day called WeFree. This is a day which celebrates young people being free of drugs. San Patrignano is based in Rimini, Italy. It welcomes all young men and women who have serious drug problems. One of the many remarkable things about the programme is that it's free.

Since 1978, San Patrignano has taken in over 18,000 people. It has offered them a home, healthcare, legal assistance and the opportunity to study and learn a job. They are able to change their lives, and regain their status as full members of society. I can relate to a lot of these themes, being a graduate from the Fifteen apprenticeship programme. The apprenticeship programme has enabled myself and so many others a unique opportunity to develop a career and overcome barriers.

I am from the 7th group of apprentices to graduate the programme. 2012 is a special year, as it is the 10th group of apprentices on the programme. To celebrate, we will have some special meet ups for each group on the fifteenth of each month. I am lucky enough to be involved, to blog about the celebrations.

So, back to the report on the Supper Club...

The location of the supper club was  just above the restaurant. The room was set out beautifully, in a rustic  and stylish fashion.  When I arrived , it was a hive of activity.  Danny McCubbin, the organiser was buzzing around getting things sorted out. Luke Robinson, who is a graduate  from the programme was organising the team of chefs. Everyone was working really hard, but with a good spirit. I was helping out with the anti-pasti platters, when Antonio Carluccio came to say hello to  people..I didn't realise he was invited to the dinner, so that was exciting and surprising!

There were some fantastic things on the menu. Anti pasti included cured meats and cheeses produced at SanPatrignano and beautifully prepared vegetables, such as baby carrots with orange and cumin. There was delicious freshly baked focaccia. Main course was amazing eight hour cooked shin of Beef from Smithfield Market, with wet polenta, roasted Oca from Jamie's garden and braising juices.
                                                                   
There was a really wide variety of people invited to the Supper Club. There were many representatives from San Patrignano, who kindly donated food and wine to proceedings. There were representatives from a number of charities.  These included a representative from the charity CALM, who was specially invited in light of the very sad news about Kevin Boyle recently. 

The whole day was a fantastic experience about the power of food and the power of people. There was some fantastic food and a great atmosphere.

I believe that Fifteen and San Patrignano provide a unique opportunity for young people to direct their lives in a positive way. As a graduate I can say that everyone on my course was different, but found a common ground through their love of food. I look forward to further events at Fifteen.

For more pictures and extra stuff about the day, check out my blog at

http://thefoodbraine.blogspot.com/


Claire

About the author: Claire is a Fifteen graduate - she is also a Food Champion at Recipease in Clapham Junction: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipease/