Passing Clouds hosts first screening of documentary about The People’s Kitchen

Waste not, want not: creators of the documentary shooting footage at Passing Clouds

Homeless guests seated around a table for a meal made entirely from food waste might not be a description of a conventional dinner party, but at The People’s Kitchen such gatherings are a regular occurrence.

Founded by Steve Wilson in November 2010, The People’s Kitchen brings together individuals from different walks of life for a worthy cause.

Mr Wilson, 27, set out to unite the community and combat food waste, hunger and poverty.

A new documentary made by Jake Smith, Creative Director of Square Eyed Pictures, focuses on this endeavor.

The film follows members of the team as they work with local organisations to collect food waste and then distribute it to local residents.  Food waste mostly consists of vegetables, fruit and bread which have been thrown out by local gardens, shops, and markets due to bruising and expired sell by dates.

Mr Wilson describes the food as “perfectly good to eat” and notes that it makes “beautiful meals”.

Mr Smith’s film is as much about people as the shameful reality of excessive wastage of food.

“I tried to avoid making a fact-heavy film and wanted to concentrate more on the characters,” Mr Smith, 26, explains.

The film premiered on last month at Passing Clouds in Dalston to an audience of around 40 people.

The screening was part of a bid to raise £10,000 in funding for the People’s Kitchen project, which will provide basic equipment and permit its potential expansion to around five or six kitchens across the city.

For updates about where the documentary can be seen visit squareeyedpictures.com