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Prince William Pens Foreword to Cookbook Celebrating the Passage's 40th Anniversary

Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images
Photo credit: WPA Pool - Getty Images

From Town & Country

Prince William has written the foreword for A Taste of Home, a new cookbook from the Passage, the UK's largest resource center for homeless and insecurely housed people. The organization is releasing the book to celebrate its 40th anniversary—a history that William has seen much of, as he first visited the charity alongside his mother, Princess Diana, in 1993.

In his foreword, the Prince referenced his visit to the Passage's kitchen in 2019, when he helped prepare and serve spaghetti bolognese. That was also the day that he was named royal patron of the organization. "The visits I made as a child to this place left a deep and lasting impression upon me—about how important it is to ensure that everyone in our society, especially the poorest, are treated with respect, dignity and kindness, and are given the opportunities to fulfill their potential in life," he said in a statement at the time.

William's contribution to the book is reminiscent of Meghan Markle's first major project as a working royal: in 2018, she made headlines for partnering with the Hubb Community Kitchen to create a charity cookbook titled Together. Like A Taste of Home, the profits from which will support homeless people, Together benefitted charity as well, which raised money for the community kitchen.

Read the Prince's full foreword below.

I am the first one to admit that I am not an excellent chef. The last time I was allowed into the kitchens at The Passage they very sensibly kept me in the role of sous-chef (aka carrot-chopper). On that occasion I ‘made’ a spaghetti bolognaise (recipe on page 101). The dish smelt amazing – probably because I didn’t cook it. But what struck me most was how sharing a hot meal in the canteen at The Passage makes people who are experiencing homelessness feel right at home.

Having a place to call home is precious. All of us will have felt the strain of staying in our homes during the Coronavirus lockdown. But for those without a place to call home, the pandemic has been even more frightening.

Thankfully The Passage made sure there was a route off the streets and into safety. Staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly on the frontline, looking after the most vulnerable in society. At the peak of the crisis, they established a mobile Food Hub, providing hot, nutritious meals every day for over 300 people.

One of the things I will remember from this difficult year is the amazing community spirit and care for the vulnerable shown by our nation. A Taste of Home is a celebration of that wonderful spirit. It also marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of The Passage, in a year which has turned out to be one of the most pivotal in their history.

I hope that every time you use this special book you are reminded of that spirit; exemplified in The Passage’s ongoing work helping those who are street homeless to find a home for good.

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