Former chef to the celebs to break bread with city's homeless

Steve Morley will be leading Eat to the Beat on Wednesday from 1.30pm until 4pm in Fox Street, Preston, to showcase the work of staff and service users at Fox Street Community.

As chef at the centre, Steve has seen first-hand the efforts and achievements of staff and volunteers and been touched by the inspirational tales behind those who use its services.

So the 62-year-old aims to reach out to the rest of the community, by inviting them to share pasties - known more affectionately as Preston hand warmers - and hear their stories.

He said: “I wanted to show Preston what we really are. The stigma used to be that we are a drop in centre and provide overnight stay, but we are a place where people can live and we can move them on with accommodation and get them jobs.

“I come from Cornwall and wanted to bring my local delicacy, but as I couldn’t call the pasties Cornish, I thought about Preston hand warmers. We are opening our hands to the public and bringing our work - and music - to the street.

“A few residents who have really moved on with their lives will share their stories.

“This is our chance to show people what Fox Street Community is really like.”

Steve’s work at Fox Street Community is a far cry from his early days, where he mingled with the rich and famous working at Langan’s Brasserie, in London, owned by Michael Caine and Peter Langan.

Steve, who now lives in Fleetwood, said: “I started my career as an apprentice pastry chef at The Connaught Hotel, in Mayfair, in 1970 and shortly afterwards moved to Langan’s. I was only 19 at the time. I met many stars, including the Sex Pistols and The Who.

“I remember Michael Caine coming into the kitchen one day and we were talking about ice cream. He also asked me what films I liked and I said I liked him in Zulu. That memory stuck with me.”

Steve moved back to Cornwall in the 1990s and taught in colleges, before moving to Lancashire, where he worked at Barton Grange.

He then took up the post at Fox Street Community 10 months ago. He added: “I love it here. I get far more appreciation from people here than I did at a five star restaurant. I enjoy helping the homeless and giving something back.

“I cook food from the donations we get and I teach people how to cook and give them life skills on budgeting and making food from nothing.”

Everyone is invited to Fox Street, Preston, 1.30pm until 4pm on Wednesday for Eat to the Beat.