The Blend Culinary Foundation, a new social impact initiative from award-winning hospitality group Blend Family, will officially launch at Alfred Works in Digbeth on 11 March, with a mission to tackle food poverty, expand access to food education and strengthen community connection through the power of food.

Based at Alfred Works Cookery School, nestled in the heart of the Custard Factory, the foundation will serve as a community hub where businesses, volunteers, families and local organisations can come together to cook, learn and make a meaningful impact across Birmingham communities.

To mark the launch, the Blend Culinary Foundation will host a special Open Kitchen Launch Day on 11 March, inviting the public to meet the team, tour the new Digbeth cookery school and join them in preparing meals for local community partners providing vital meal support across the city.

Running from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the cookery school and learn more about the foundation’s mission and programmes. Guests can also get hands-on in the kitchen between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm, helping the team cook ready meals that will be distributed to organisations supporting those experiencing food insecurity across Birmingham.

The launch marks the beginning of the foundation’s next chapter, rooted in its commitment to alleviating food poverty, widening access to culinary education and bringing communities together through shared food experiences.

Throughout the year, the cookery school will host a programme of corporate and community pledge days, where participants work together to prepare meals that are donated to local charities and support networks across the city. Businesses will also be able to take part in corporate impact days that combine team building with meaningful community contribution.

Alongside these initiatives, the foundation will deliver a range of interactive culinary experiences, including cooking and cocktail masterclasses, as well as family and youth programmes such as junior and teen chef classes and multi-generational cooking sessions designed to make food education accessible and engaging for people of all ages.

Leading the programme is Chef Jo Dingwall, Blend Culinary Foundation’s newly appointed Chef Instructor. With more than 25 years of professional culinary experience and strong local roots, Jo brings both technical expertise and a passion for inclusive, community-focused cookery education.

Visitors interested in attending the Open Kitchen Launch Day can sign up using the QR code provided, or can keep up to date with upcoming events via the Blend Culinary Foundation website, HERE.

Those wishing to stay connected can also join the Alfred Works Cookery School mailing list or contact the team at hello@blendculinaryfoundation.co.uk.

Keep up to date with the latest news and events via the Alfred Works and Blend Culinary Foundation Instagram channels.