Andrew Clarke, 20, from Croydon, was stabbed at 17 in a case of mistaken identity, but he has turned his pain into passion through Fat Macy's, a charity that helps people in temporary accommodation break the cycle via hospitality training. He now works as a chef with Lexington Catering and creates cooking content on TikTok and Instagram under 'Chefigures'.
From stabbing to culinary career
Andrew was attacked by an unknown knifeman on a day out with friends, causing him to still avoid certain areas of London. A referral from his youth worker led him to Fat Macy's, where he trained under head chefs at Sohaila restaurant in Shoreditch. He learned everything from sauce-making to fish filleting. 'The chefs here pushed me, made me resilient, built up my skills, and I grew from there,' he said.
Charity's holistic approach
Fat Macy's operates Sohaila as a social enterprise, with profits supporting long-term physical and mental health. The charity also provides days out, transport costs, and a £1,500 grant to move from hostel to home. Ryan McKiernan, managing director, noted that one in 47 Londoners experiences homelessness, and many are trapped between benefits tapering and low earnings. 'Suddenly you find yourself on that precipice, and it's very easy to be pushed over the ledge,' he added.
Graduate success stories
Mimi Zouzoua, 28, lost her job while caring for her sick daughter and ended up in a shared house in Edmonton. After retraining through Fat Macy's customer service pathway, she now works with Pret. 'It's great to know that every morning I wake up and have something to do,' she said. She dreams of opening her own French-African restaurant chain.
Impact and future goals
Andrew, who faced depression, PTSD, and anxiety, said: 'I'm probably the most confident I've ever been.' He continues to receive support from the charity and aims to move out and become more independent. 'I want to use my story to make people realise there are so many things you can do in your life,' he added.
