SHOWCASE 2:
APPRENTICE RESTAURANT,
St. Barnabas, Dartmouth.
Now Grade II Listed, St Barnabas Church was built in the 1830’s. Having fallen into disrepair, it was deconsecrated in 1979 and used as a workshop by an altruist involved in supporting homeless people. The challenge was to provide modern training, kitchen and restaurant facilities with minimum intervention to the historic fabric.
Since 1995 Training for Life, has returned over 12,000 homeless unemployed people to education and employment. The ethos was to provide a quality eating experience with all profits returned to the charity. The staff work towards a hospitality industry qualification and are helped to find permanent employment. The ‘theatre’ kitchen and restaurant are situated centrally with staircase access to a dining mezzanine, the preparation of food integral to the eating experience.
Local craftsmen collaborated in the creation of the fine joinery and flame patterned steelwork. The internal colour scheme reflects the original vibrant Victorian decorations of the Church.
