A London-based restaurant known for hiring individuals who have previously experienced homelessness has rebranded itself as ‘130 Primrose’. Notably, renowned MasterChef judge, Monica Galetti, has joined the team as both an executive chef and trustee.
Originally known as Home Kitchen Diner, 130 Primrose isn’t your typical dining establishment. Despite its refined north London location and high-end menu featuring scallop ceviche and guinea fowl, this restaurant serves a larger purpose. Its primary aim is to create new employment opportunities in the fine dining sector for those who have faced homelessness.
The next phase of the project has seen the restaurant transform into 130 Primrose, officially register as a UK charity, and strategically bring on board Monica Galetti, celebrated chef and broadcaster. Nestled at 130 Regent’s Park Road in Primrose Hill, the restaurant will open its doors on 8 May under the new name, sporting a fresh menu but maintaining its core mission. It aims to recruit, train, and employ individuals with lived experience of homelessness, providing paid work, accredited training, and a springboard to long-term hospitality careers.
With a capacity for 50 diners, 130 Primrose will operate seven days a week from 9am, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed, brasserie-style environment with additional seating on the street-side. Freshly made sandwiches and salads will be available at lunch, while evenings will feature an added selection of charcuterie and cheese. A speakeasy-style cocktail bar is also set to open on the lower ground floor in the upcoming month.
Galetti, who is also a regular volunteer at Soup Kitchen London, will be at the helm of shaping the restaurant’s culinary and training programs, while Head Chef Eric Zhang will be leading the kitchen full time. “I’ve seen firsthand how the right support can help people rediscover hope, dignity, and purpose through opportunities like this,” Galetti remarked.
130 Primrose was first launched in 2024 as a social enterprise and has collaborated with numerous referral partners including Crisis, Beam, The Big Issue, Soup Kitchen London, Only A Pavement Away, and the Beyond Food Foundation. Its first hires came from diverse backgrounds, including prison leavers, refugees, individuals in addiction recovery, and others who were affected by homelessness.
Each team member at 130 Primrose will be offered a six-month contract and will have the opportunity to gain notable qualifications such as food hygiene and allergen awareness certifications. Subsequent to their stint at the restaurant, they will be guided towards further prospects within hospitality.
The restaurant’s renaming as ‘130 Primrose’ symbolizes a fresh start. The name acts as a nod to the restaurant’s address but is also inspired by the Latin phrase ‘prima rosa’, which evokes the idea of spring and new beginnings. The aim is to foster a sense of renewal, confidence, and lasting opportunity.
In the long term, the charity plans to extend the model to cities across the UK. The challenge now is to ensure that the concept works not only as a powerful social intervention, but also as a restaurant that people want to return to for its food. The real test will be in convincing diners to appreciate the food and leave with a new perspective on homelessness, work, and the potential that people can tap into when given a chance.
