Most charity food events ask you to pay for a ticket, sit through a raffle, and eat something you'll forget by the car park.
I don't want to run one of those.
I'm Jerelle, Jefe to most people, and I run Jefes Ramen, a community interest company from Stockport. On Friday 4 December we're cooking big bowls of ramen at Leo + Roobs on Garden Lane in Salford. Every bowl is Buy 1 Give 1: it funds a matching meal for someone experiencing homelessness. And for this night, we're supporting the Booth Centre in Manchester. If you've been looking for charity food events in Salford that are worth leaving the house for, this is one.
Salford, winter, and why this night
December is when it bites. It's dark by four, it's cold, and everyone's talking about Christmas dinners. For some people, a hot meal isn't a given at any time of year, and that's harder to look past in winter.
I know that because I've been there. I've been on the other side of hunger, and I haven't forgotten what it feels like. That's the reason Jefes Ramen exists. Not a brand idea. Not a strategy. Just something I said I'd do something about if I ever got the chance.
So when we picked a night for Salford, a Friday in early December felt right. People are already out. They're already in the mood to treat themselves. I'd rather that treat did something for somebody else at the same time.
Leo + Roobs, Unit 1 Garden Lane M3 7FJ, Fri 4 Dec, 6-10pm
Here's what's confirmed:
- Venue: Leo + Roobs (a cafe), Unit 1, Garden Lane, Salford M3 7FJ
- Date: Friday 4 December 2026
- Time: 6pm to 10pm
- Presale closes: Friday 27 November
- Tickets: Book your Salford bowl on Eventbrite
Yes, it's a cafe, not a pub. Most of our nights are in pubs, but the model doesn't care about the sign over the door. It needs a kitchen we can cook in and people who want to eat. If you're searching for Salford ramen on Garden Lane, you've found it.
Supporting the Booth Centre, Manchester
The Booth Centre in Manchester is the named charity for this night. That's on the Eventbrite page, and it's who we're backing.
I want to be careful with how I say this. I'm not going to tell you how many meals have gone anywhere from Salford, because the night hasn't happened yet. What I can tell you is the deal: every bowl sold funds a matching meal, and for Salford, the Booth Centre is who we're supporting. When the night's done, I'll tell you plainly how it went.
If you know the Booth Centre already, you'll know why I'm proud to have their name next to ours. If you don't, it's worth a look.
What your bowl does
This is the simple bit, and I've kept it simple on purpose:
- You buy a bowl.
- That bowl funds a matching meal for someone experiencing homelessness.
- One for you, one given.
That's it. No "a percentage of profits if we hit target". No donation bucket going round the tables. No speech halfway through your noodles. The giving is already built into the bowl in front of you.
What you do get is a proper bowl. Rich broth, big portions, the kind of food you want on a cold Friday. You can see the sort of thing we cook on our menu page. I'll confirm the Salford line-up nearer the night, so take that as a taste rather than a promise.
Booking
Presale closes on Friday 27 November, a week before the night, so don't leave it.
Book your Salford bowl on Eventbrite. Bring a mate, bring the work lot, bring whoever's been moaning there's nothing to do.
A few other ways in, if you want them:
- Can't wait till December? We're at the Swan With Two Necks in Stockport on Friday 30 October. Details are on the Stockport page.
- Want to help on the night? Join the crew. We need people who'll turn up and graft.
- Want to back the bigger picture? Our Crowdfunder, 382k Reasons, closes on 27 October. Have a look here. No pressure. Coming to eat is the main thing.
Charity food events in Salford don't have to be a chore. Come for the ramen. The rest takes care of itself.
See you on Garden Lane.
Jerelle, Jefes Ramen