Homeless people will be treated to a fine dining experience this Christmas, courtesy of a high-end restaurant.

Managers at the Hengist in Aylesford High Street have offered to make 35 Christmas dinners and have them distributed for the homeless through Maidstone Homeless Care.

They will be put together in the restaurant’s kitchens at the restaurant and transported to the day centre in Knightrider Street, Maidstone.

As the restaurant is likely to be flat out on Christmas Day itself – with 62 bookings for Christmas dinner already taken – Tuesday, December 23, is the day that has been picked.

Restaurant owner David House was particularly keen to offer help to those without a roof over their head.

Manager Richard Lee said: “We are keen on providing a bit of help to homeless people.
“We deliver Christmas dinners anyway, so we thought we would be able to do this for Maidstone Homeless Care. All our customers are aware that we are doing that and are supportive.”

Alan Reading, vice-chairman of Homeless Care, said: “The Hengist restaurant believes that everyone in the UK should celebrate Christmas, so they are donating Christmas dinner to the homeless and vulnerable. No matter what the diners’ personal circumstances they will have a superb traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings, courtesy of the Hengist.”

The restaurant, which reopened after a refurbishment earlier this year, will also be donating £10 from each Christmas dinner it sells on the day itself to Maidstone Homeless Care.

The charity’s operation includes distributing emergency food parcels to those in need; running a drop-in day centre for homeless people where they can have a shower, eat a meal and receiveand have advice on benefits and employment. It also runs a food bank, Food For Thought.

You can contact the Hengist on 01622 885800 or visit www.hengistrestaurant.co.uk