Harlem Church To Host New Soup Kitchen Run By Italian Chef

HARLEM, NY — A historic Harlem church will host a no-waste soup kitchen and community center as part of a global project by a prominent Italian chef.

Known as Refettorio Harlem, the facility will open this fall at Emanuel AME Church, on West 119th Street near Fifth Avenue, Tasting Table reported this week.

It will be part of the worldwide Refetterio campaign by Massimo Bottura, the chef behind the three-Michelin-star restaurant Osteria Francescana in Moderna, Italy. The project, which already runs seven refettorios in other countries, will reportedly open two more in Harlem and San Francisco this year.

"Refettorio Harlem will offer a sense of belonging, compassion and opportunity," a message on the Refettorio Harlem website reads.

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"By feeding the body and soul with grace and dignity and encouraging inclusivity, we aim to bridge socioeconomic opportunities and shift cultural mobility for vulnerable populations living or transitioning among Harlem’s neighborhoods."

While it hasn't opened its doors yet, Refettorio Harlem already began delivering food within the neighborhood, according to its Instagram, and volunteers have begun cleaning up the church grounds.

The center will also partner with the East Harlem nonprofit Youth Action YouthBuild to house a job-skills training program for young adults, according to another post. Other partner groups include Hot Bread Kitchen, a nonprofit bakery founded in East Harlem.

Read more at refettorioharlem.org