New restaurant creates jobs for people affected by homelessness
Monica Galetti has been appointed executive chef at 130 Primrose, a new London restaurant offering paid hospitality roles and training to people with experience of homelessness.
Chef and broadcaster Monica Galetti has been appointed executive chef at 130 Primrose, a new Primrose Hill restaurant designed to recruit, train and employ people affected by homelessness.
Opening next week on 8 May, the restaurant will occupy the site formerly known as Home Kitchen Diner on Regent’s Park Road. The previous social enterprise operated at the location for a year until August 2025.
The 50-cover venue will open seven days a week from 9am, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in what is described as a relaxed, brasserie-style setting, alongside additional street-side seating.
Its à la carte menu will take inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine, with plans to later introduce influences from Galetti’s native Samoa. Lunch will include sandwiches and salads, while the evening offer will expand to include charcuterie and cheese. A speakeasy-style cocktail bar is also due to open on the lower ground floor later next month.
130 Primrose takes its name from the Latin phrase prima rosa, intended as a symbol of spring and new beginnings.
Employment and training focus
The restaurant’s model centres on offering employees paid work, accredited training and career progression opportunities within hospitality.
Galetti will oversee the project alongside head chef Eric Zhang, who will lead the kitchen full time.
Candidates are recruited through referrals from partner charities including The Big Issue, Crisis, Beam, Soup Kitchen London and Only A Pavement Away.
Each employee is offered a six-month contract in either the front of house or kitchen team. The programme also includes the opportunity to complete qualifications such as Food Hygiene and Allergen Awareness certifications. After completing their placement, employees receive support in progressing into further hospitality roles.
130 Primrose recently gained charity status and builds on the work of Home Kitchen Diner, where chef Adam Simmonds previously held the Executive Chef role.
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During Home Kitchen Diner’s operation, 16 individuals affected by homelessness were employed, including prison leavers, refugees from Afghanistan, Iraq and Ukraine, and people in addiction recovery. According to the organisation, five members of the original cohort moved into permanent hospitality roles.
The charity said its longer-term ambition is to expand the model to cities across the UK, with the aim of becoming “a recognised pipeline of skilled, diverse talent for the hospitality industry”.
Galetti joins board of trustees
Galetti has also joined the charity’s board of six trustees.
She said: “I’ve seen first-hand how, with the right support, people can rediscover hope, dignity and purpose through opportunities like this. That’s why I didn’t hesitate when I was asked to help shape the culinary future of this incredible project.
“My first task is to create an exciting new menu that attracts customers to support our mission – celebrating the best British seasonal ingredients with a little twist of fun. Later, I’ll weave in touches of my Samoan heritage, giving our trainees a unique development opportunity and helping them to stand out when they move on in their career in hospitality.”
Michael Brown, charity trustee and part of the founding team, added: “Too often, people facing homelessness are excluded from work and written off by society – seen only for their circumstances, not their potential.
“At the same time, the hospitality industry, among many other challenges, faces a shortage of committed, qualified staff. We’ve started to close both gaps, to prove that talent can flourish anywhere and change perceptions. But we must do more.
“We must build on what we’ve learned and scale up to provide more opportunities for more people who need them. These are people with an extraordinary life experience doing extraordinary things with the right support, Employment brings dignity, belonging, and a future.”
Case studies shared by the organisation include Ade, described as a father of three and business graduate who experienced street homelessness and hostel living. After joining the kitchen team in August 2024, he secured full-time employment and now works with Soup Kitchen London, maintaining 18 months of continuous work.
Another former participant, Seb, joined the first cohort after being released from prison into homelessness. He later moved on to a role at the Megaro Hotel under Adam Simmonds.
Supporters can back the initiative by sponsoring trainee salaries or training, partnering on corporate or hospitality collaborations, or dining at 130 Primrose following its opening in May.
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