The opening date for a new bistro at a south Essex hospice created in partnership with a former BBC MasterChef finalist has been revealed.
"Seasons at St Luke’s" will officially open at St. Luke’s Hospice in Thurrock on September 7, offering a new dining experience for patients, families, staff, visitors and the wider community.
The 29-cover bistro has been developed in collaboration with Basildon resident Anurag Aggarwal, who reached the final stages of BBC MasterChef UK in 2023 and has since become a published author, food systems adviser and hospitality consultant.
The project has been several months in the making and aims to combine food, wellbeing and community engagement within the hospice environment.
Mr Aggarwal said: “We’ve worked incredibly hard over the past few months to bring Seasons at St Luke’s to life, and it’s fantastic to be just two weeks away from opening our doors.
“There’s been so much energy, creativity and hard work behind the scenes, and I can’t wait for people to come in, enjoy the food and experience what we’ve created together.”
Hospice leaders say the venue will provide high-quality, nutritious and inclusive food options in a welcoming setting designed to offer moments of comfort, connection and normality.
As well as creating a new community space, the venture is expected to provide an additional source of income for St. Luke’s Hospice at a time when many charities are facing financial pressures.
Eileen Marshall, chief executive of St. Luke’s Hospice, added: “It’s wonderful to have reached this point after so much hard work from everyone involved.
“Seasons at St Luke’s has been an exciting project for the Hospice, and we’re now looking forward to welcoming our first guests and seeing the Bistro become a place our local community can enjoy and feel part of.”
Bookings are now being accepted ahead of the opening, with the hospice encouraging residents to be among the first customers through the doors.
The bistro forms part of St. Luke’s wider vision of creating sustainable ways to support hospice services while maintaining a strong connection with the community it serves.
Share