See, there are good people out there...
February 13, 2022 11:05 AM Subscribe
In January one of Jay Rayner's Observer reviews included a short news bite on a crowdfund to help a small London restaurant, Sugarcane, get back on its feet after a break in. This week, Jay reviewed the restaurant and seems to have caused an outbreak of emotion amongst readers.
The review ends with Jay quoting a discussion he had with the chef/owner: "He nods gently and, without any side, says simply, 'I’m a care leaver from a disadvantaged background. I’m black and gay, one of the youngest restaurateurs in the country who opened his restaurant during the pandemic by himself with just £3,000. I should be a statistic. Instead, I’ve broken the narrative and the barriers. Despite everything against me, I’m still standing.' In a space this small everyone can hear our conversation. Spontaneously, his customers give him a round of applause. Quite right, too."
The review ends with Jay quoting a discussion he had with the chef/owner: "He nods gently and, without any side, says simply, 'I’m a care leaver from a disadvantaged background. I’m black and gay, one of the youngest restaurateurs in the country who opened his restaurant during the pandemic by himself with just £3,000. I should be a statistic. Instead, I’ve broken the narrative and the barriers. Despite everything against me, I’m still standing.' In a space this small everyone can hear our conversation. Spontaneously, his customers give him a round of applause. Quite right, too."
Thanks for this. Lovely indeed.
posted by Ahmad Khani at 11:26 AM on February 13, 2022
posted by Ahmad Khani at 11:26 AM on February 13, 2022
Such a lovely story! I noted the original call for funding and wondered if there would be a follow up. This is the best.
posted by mumimor at 11:34 AM on February 13, 2022
posted by mumimor at 11:34 AM on February 13, 2022
That was so nice it made me cry.
posted by lauranesson at 11:55 AM on February 13, 2022
posted by lauranesson at 11:55 AM on February 13, 2022
he grew up in care and wanted to do something for other care leavers.
For your American friends: can you give me a better understanding of what “grew up in care” and “care leaver” means in the UK?
posted by Silvery Fish at 12:04 PM on February 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
For your American friends: can you give me a better understanding of what “grew up in care” and “care leaver” means in the UK?
posted by Silvery Fish at 12:04 PM on February 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
A care leaver has grown up in foster care or a group home setting and has since left the care of the state.
posted by kittensofthenight at 12:10 PM on February 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by kittensofthenight at 12:10 PM on February 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
grew up in care = grew up in the foster care system
care leaver = aged out of foster care
In any functional welfare state, the system is probably better than the US, but still not as good as growing up in a stable family. Aging out of the foster care system is a rough transition in general, and the cruel joke is that people who grow up in institutional care [foster system] tend disproportionally to end up in instituions [prison].
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 12:10 PM on February 13, 2022 [9 favorites]
care leaver = aged out of foster care
In any functional welfare state, the system is probably better than the US, but still not as good as growing up in a stable family. Aging out of the foster care system is a rough transition in general, and the cruel joke is that people who grow up in institutional care [foster system] tend disproportionally to end up in instituions [prison].
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 12:10 PM on February 13, 2022 [9 favorites]
For me at least (am in the UK), being in care quite strongly implies having lived in a children's home ie. institution, as opposed to being in foster care, which is being placed with a family. Though strictly speaking, I think both come under the umbrella of being in care. Historically, kids in care have often, after having received inadequate support during some or all of their childhood, moved into adulthood with inadequate support for that transition too, with predicatably devastating effects on their life chances.
Here in Scotland, at least, you often now hear the phrase "care-experienced people" in a bid to spotlight and value the life experiences of people who spent time in care.
posted by penguin pie at 2:11 PM on February 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
Here in Scotland, at least, you often now hear the phrase "care-experienced people" in a bid to spotlight and value the life experiences of people who spent time in care.
posted by penguin pie at 2:11 PM on February 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
"This is all comfort food, made by someone who knows a bit about having to find a place of safety and now wants to offer you one, too."
This is so lovely and moving.
posted by brainwane at 6:49 PM on February 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
This is so lovely and moving.
posted by brainwane at 6:49 PM on February 13, 2022 [6 favorites]
Gotta say, I do love it when Jay Rayner has had a terrible meal, but this is a lovely story if not a happy one, and big ups for the sugarcane crew.
posted by bookbook at 1:35 AM on February 14, 2022
posted by bookbook at 1:35 AM on February 14, 2022
This was one of the few articles where reading the comments was mostly delightful. If there were any cranky comments, they were removed before I got there.
posted by Bella Donna at 7:12 AM on February 14, 2022
posted by Bella Donna at 7:12 AM on February 14, 2022
The Welsh Senedd is launching a pilot scheme to give care leavers £1,600 (∼US$ 2,200) a month.
I so hope it's given a fair chance to work.
posted by humph at 9:03 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
I so hope it's given a fair chance to work.
posted by humph at 9:03 AM on February 16, 2022 [3 favorites]
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posted by Bella Donna at 11:06 AM on February 13, 2022 [1 favorite]