The much loved Indian restaurant who delivered 20 million meals to the needy

Manchester’s much-loved Indian restaurant, Dishoom, celebrated an incredible milestone this week.

The team are celebrating donating a marvellous figure of 20 million meals donated through their impactful ‘meal for a meal’ charity partnership.

Dishoom charity work

This unique initiative ensures that for every meal served at Dishoom, a nourishing meal is provided to a child facing hunger in either the UK or India.

Dishoom’s longstanding commitment to this ‘meal for a meal’ initiative began during Ramadan in 2015, rooted in the spirit of ‘zakat’ (an act of almsgiving).

Over the years, the initiative has evolved to encompass not only meals served in the restaurant but also includes a contribution from every at-home Naan Roll Kit sold and every meal served at the Permit Room since its inception in Brighton in October 2023.

Magic Breakfast, The Akshaya Patra Foundation and Dishoom

Collaborating with charity partners, Magic Breakfast in the UK and The Akshaya Patra Foundation in India, Dishoom’s efforts extend beyond the plate.

Both organisations focus on providing nourishing free school meals to children, addressing food poverty as a significant barrier to education.

The cost of living crisis

In the face of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Dishoom remains committed to breaking down these barriers prevalent in India and the UK.

The stark reality underscores the continued need to support over 4 million children grappling with food insecurity in the UK.

Disturbing statistics reveal that disadvantaged pupils in England, by the end of primary school, lag over 10 months behind their peers, marking the widest disadvantage gap in over a decade.

Similar disparities persist through GCSEs, emphasising the urgency of tackling food poverty as a crucial educational challenge.

A ‘meal for a meal’ initiative

In India, the ‘meal for a meal’ initiative plays a dual role, ensuring no child is too hungry to learn and serving as a compelling incentive for many children to attend school.

Particularly impactful for girls in India, who often face restricted access to education, the free midday meals provided by Akshaya Patra become a lifeline, motivating families to prioritize education even in times of financial strain.

Akshaya Patra and Magic Breakfast collectively strive to address food insecurity in over 22,000 schools across England, Scotland, and India, offering healthy meals to more than two million children every school day. Dishoom takes immense pride in its continued support of this impactful endeavour.

The Magic Breakfast takeover

Beyond the commendable act of donating meals, Dishoom actively engages with the local community through initiatives like the annual Magic Breakfast Takeover.

During this event, children from Magic Breakfast’s partner schools enjoy a healthy breakfast, interact with Dishoom’s Chef-Wallas, and connect with the devoted team of volunteers.

In a heartwarming development, this Spring will see children from a Magic Breakfast partner school visiting the latest café, Dishoom Battersea, to relish hot Naan Rolls and orange juice, and participate in roti making – all with the aim of bringing smiles and full tummies.

The Bombay Bootcamp

Additionally, Dishoom annually organises the Bombay Bootcamp, a unique opportunity for team members with five years of service to visit Bombay alongside Dishoom’s Founders and Executive Chef.

During this tour, the team witnesses the inner workings of the Akshaya Patra kitchens and actively participates in serving lunch through the Midday Meals program, fostering a firsthand connection with their charity partner.

For those seeking more information on Dishoom’s  partnerships with Magic Breakfast and The Akshaya Patra Foundation, please visit the websites of these amazing charities by clicking here:

Dishoom Charity Magic Breakfast Akshaya Patra Foundation

About Magic Breakfast

Magic Breakfast is a registered charity providing healthy breakfasts to children and young people in the UK who arrive at school too hungry to learn, and expert support to their schools. Over 200,000 children and young people are on roll at Primary, Secondary, ASL / Special Educational Needs Schools and Pupil Referral Units that the charity works with, in disadvantaged areas of Scotland and England.

Providing breakfast ensures that children start their school day with the energy and nutrition they need to be able to make the most of their morning lessons. Magic Breakfast also undertakes research, and campaigns for long-term solutions to end hunger as a barrier to learning.

About The Akshaya Patra Foundation

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a 24 year old charity which runs the world’s largest mid-day meal programme in a single country. Akshaya Patra serves 2.2 million children every school day. The charity provides hot and nourishing lunches in over 22,000 schools in India, from its 68 kitchens across the country.

In the UK, the charity’s kitchen in North London provides hot meals to children and families struggling with food poverty, at schools, holiday clubs and community centres.

About Eat Well MCR

Eat Well operates across Greater Manchester, partnering with organisations that support people sidelined by poverty to deliver up to 1,000 meals every week.

They support people in the community including families living in temporary accommodation, women taking refuge in sheltered accommodation, food-banks looking after families and single parents in dire straits, and schools
whose families are experiencing food poverty and inequality.

The chef-made meals go beyond satiating hunger, providing a moment of genuine respite and relief in difficult times.