From the kitchens of one the world’s greatest hotels, The Dorchester, Park Lane, Mayfair, to the community restaurant kitchen at JBJ Soul Kitchen, Red Bank, New Jersey, Kitchen Porters Rock.
Literally in the case of JBJ Soul Kitchen
JBJ Soul Kitchen is a non-profit Community Restaurant serving paying customers and those in-need. If diners are unable to pay, they are invited into the restaurant to enjoy a warm meal and learn about volunteering opportunities. If they can, they are requested to make a suggested donation and also Pay it Forward. Providing a dining experience that fosters a sense of community and addresses issues of food insecurity.
JBJ Soul Kitchen was founded by global rock star Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea Hurley, opening in 2011. To this day Jon Bon Jovi remains highly committed to the restaurant’s purpose, serving the community, and can be regularly spotted doing a stint as a KP, keeping the kitchen ready for service.
Following this discovery, Bon Jovi was subsequently nominated for the Kitchen Porters Club January Kitchen Porter of the Month. The nomination was forwarded to the judges and chair Paul Anderson approved it without hesitation. We spoke with Anderson, MD of Meiko UK, Sponsor of the Kitchen Porters Club, who told us: “When I first received the nomination I had to do a double take, Jon Bon Jovi a Kitchen Porter, really? But on investigation it was apparent he is, as well as being one of the founders of JBJ Soul Kitchen. I not only fully endorse the work being done for the New Jersey community through JBJ Soul Kitchen but also Jon Bon Jovi donning a KP apron and joining the brigade serving the people of New Jersey.
“A new ‘official’ Kitchen Porters Club apron is on the way to Jon Bon Jovi, sending a message that the Kitchen Porters Club recognises the work he is doing, both in the kitchen and the wider New Jersey community.”
A second successful nomination was approved for the January Kitchen Porter of the Month, from Abigail Adjei at The Dorchester on behalf of her colleague Harvey Goldman.
Abigails nomination read: “I am thrilled to nominate Harvey Goldman for the Kitchen Porters Club’s Kitchen Porter of the Month. Harvey’s unwavering dedication to his work is truly inspiring and stands out as the most compelling reason for this nomination. His commitment, hard work, and passion for his role make him an invaluable member of our team.”
We again asked Anderson for feedback: “From the words Abigail Adjei used it is so evident that Harvey Goldman is a highly accomplished and highly valued member of the back of house team at The Dorchester. As a venue that delivers world class service, it is essential that world class Kitchen Porters are part of the back of house team ensuring such service levels are maintained and delivered.
“January has clearly set 2025 in motion at the Kitchen Porters Club in just the way we would want, living proof that from New Jersey to Mayfair, KPs ROCK.”
If you work with a Kitchen Porter that like Harvey Goldman and Jon Bon Jovi warrant being awarded as one of our Kitchen Porters of the Month, just complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.
