Food news: A slice of cake could help crowdfund new Sheffield venue

Blend Kitchen - which provides training and helps people get into employment - is taking over the former Nourish site on Pinstone Street in the city centre this summer.

Sheffield food lovers have been making donations to help staff kit out the kitchen with everything from a potato masher to a new fridge.

In return, those who donate through the online crowdfunding campaign will receive food rewards once the cafe is open.

A donation of £5 will be returned with a free coffee and cake, £10 breakfast for two and so on, up to £150 which pays for a six course dinner with champagne and cocktails for four.

So far more than £1,000 has been donated towards the £10,000 target.

Chris Hanson, Blend programme manager, said: “We’re really happy with how it is going, we’ve had more than £1,000 donated in the first two weeks alone.

“People are spreading the word and really getting behind us.

“We’re hoping to have our soft opening of our new site the first week in July and then be fully open after that.”

The menu at Blend Kitchen is described as ‘being designed around the best in local, seasonal produce while taking inspiration from the cultures and communities that make up Sheffield.’

Breakfasts will be egg based - think benedict, florentine or with smoked salmon - while lunch sandwiches will feature Little Mesters cheesem and main dishes, such as Tristan’s jerk marinated chicken, will take inspiration from the people Blend has worked with. Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/blend-kitchen for more details.