TV Chef Calls on London Restaurants to Join National Breakfast Campaign
Chef Shivi Ramoutar, a renowned author and broadcaster, is urging restaurants across London to participate in Magic Breakfast's Fuel for Success 2026 campaign. This initiative aims to combat morning hunger among students during the critical exam season, ensuring no child sits an exam on an empty stomach.
Campaign Details and Impact
Magic Breakfast, a charity dedicated to providing nourishing breakfasts for children and young people, has launched this year's campaign with Ramoutar as its frontperson. The organization's mission is to empower every child in the UK to thrive through proper nutrition, impacting over 350,000 children daily by removing hunger as a barrier to learning.
Ramoutar emphasized the urgency of the campaign, stating, "No child should sit in a classroom, or an exam hall, too hungry to concentrate. Fuel For Success gives restaurants a simple, meaningful way to make an immediate difference." She highlighted that adding an optional £1 donation to bills in May and June requires minimal effort but can significantly alter a child's academic performance and future prospects.
How Restaurants Can Participate
The campaign offers a straightforward, zero-cost method for restaurants to contribute. Participants can:
- Add an optional £1 donation to every bill during May and June.
- Use a designated "Magic Breakfast" button on tills to track donations.
- Send the total amount raised at the campaign's conclusion.
Magic Breakfast provides all necessary assets, staff briefings, and operational guidance, making it an accessible ESG initiative for businesses of all sizes. This approach ensures minimal administrative burden while maximizing community impact.
Why Support Is Critical
Morning hunger severely affects students' ability to focus and perform, with studies showing that a simple breakfast enhances concentration, attendance, and academic attainment. Notably, most secondary school pupils lack government-provided breakfast programs, creating a gap that restaurant support can help bridge.
A nine-year-old student supported by Magic Breakfast explained, "People who don't get enough to eat in the morning might find it hard to learn. Then they'll really struggle in tests, and then not get the job they want." This underscores the long-term consequences of hunger on educational outcomes.
Industry Backing and Past Success
The campaign has already garnered support from industry leaders, including long-term partner Hawksmoor. Will Beckett, Co-founder and CEO of Hawksmoor, encouraged others to join, saying, "We've loved being part of Magic Breakfast's Fuel for Success campaign for 4 years... We’ve seen first-hand how impactful Magic Breakfast’s efforts are... We can’t wait to be involved again this year and encourage others in the industry to get involved too!"
In previous years, the campaign gained traction with celebrities like Will Poulter and Big Zuu, reaching over 3.5 million people on Instagram in 2024. By 2025, it achieved a milestone by funding over 1 million breakfasts since its inception. With Ramoutar leading the 2026 effort, Magic Breakfast aims to expand its reach further.
A Call to Action for the Hospitality Sector
Exam season presents a time-sensitive opportunity for the hospitality industry to make a measurable difference in communities across the UK. By partnering with Shivi Ramoutar, restaurants can help ensure that students' exam results reflect their true abilities rather than their access to breakfast. This initiative not only supports local youth but also enhances corporate social responsibility efforts, fostering a positive impact on society.
