‘Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got; Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away?’*

On Friday afternoons as volunteers we prepare and cook a three course meal that we then start serving for up to 23 people across 6 tables in one sitting at half past six each week. We offer a healthy, minimally processed meal that we hope tastes nice too.

There is no charge for entry, or prices for anything on the menu. We work on a ‘Pay What You Feel’ basis and gratefully receive any donations of time or money given. Giving is not necessary, we have all had times when we have had nothing left to give. Everyone is welcome, everyone is equal.

We are here for anyone who might want to come by themselves, with a friend or two, with family, or you can come and mingle at a communal table. We’ll ask you when you book if you wanna just chill no fuss or if you want introducing to some of the regulars that are cool with that too if any are about that week.

We want to create somewhere that you can come to relax, enjoy some good food and connect with some people if you want, or not if you don’t, no worries. We are in a lovely, compact and cosy room at the moment, but we have room to grow into the big spacious hall next door as well. There is scope for so much extra if we had more volunteers.

As we are limited by numbers at the moment, booking is essential if you want to come dine with us. That is so we can both eliminate food waste and avoid having to turn anyone away on the night. Bookings are offered in the order tables are requested.

We use £5 worth of ingredients for each three course meal & hot drink that we provide each person with each week and currently pay £32 a week for the venue hire.

If you would like to help out then please get in touch, full training & ongoing support are always provided and if you can teach us a thing or two as well we’d love to learn. There is always something here for you to do (or learn to do) that we’d be glad of the support with and we would be very grateful if you could help.

With more help we could cook for 100 people every Friday night and that’s just for starters!

The Fenix Cafe is the trading name of Chester Fenix Community Interest Company.

*Where Everybody Knows Your Name Lyrics by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo