Made in Hackney

Our recent partnership with Made in Hackney, a community cookery school and emergency food support service, kicked off with Made in Hackney’s plant-based burger launching across Fuller’s estate – with 50p for every burger sold being donated back to the charity.

Made in Hackney’s expert chefs developed the recipe for the plant-based burger to be a delicious and nutritious, wholefoods alternative to imitation meat. The burger patty comprises a selection of tasty and healthy ingredients – including mushrooms, beetroot, quinoa and more. Topped with a smoked cheese alternative, tahini-dressed kale, balsamic beef tomatoes and a secret sauce – the result is a mouthwatering treat that’s good for you and the planet.

Ahead of the launch, we organised a cook-off in the Made in Hackney kitchen with some of Fuller’s General Managers, so they could cook, test and try the new recipe before adding it to their menus. The cook-off was a great success with everyone leaving feeling excited and inspired about the new dish.

£10,000 raised for Made in Hackney

Since its launch in August, £10,000 has been raised so far through sales of the plant-based burger.

The Made in Hackney plant-based burger will continue to be available in a number of Fuller’s Managed pubs and hotels – raising more money for the community cookery school and food kitchen.

Sarah Bentley, Founder of Made in Hackney, said: “Fuller’s shares in our belief that everyone should have access to healthy, affordable food that's good for people and the planet. Developing a plant-based burger for Fuller’s has been an incredible opportunity for our cookery school and charity. Not only does it mean customers have a delicious wholefood, plant-based burger option – but the funds raised help us to provide emergency food support and life changing plant-centered food education classes. No one should go hungry or not know how to prepare a nourishing meal. Our work tackles this injustice. Thank you Fuller’s for supporting us to do this vital work.”

Ollie Rosevear, Fuller’s Director of Sustainability, said: “Our partnership with Made in Hackney demonstrates Fuller’s dedication to help our planet and our communities – as part of our Life is too good to waste sustainability program. Plant-based burgers are significantly less carbon intense than those made of beef – using roughly 60% less carbon.

“We’ve sold nearly 20,000 Made in Hackney burgers, producing 60 fewer tons of carbon emissions than an equivalent number of burgers made from beef. Being able to give our customers an opportunity to enjoy a delicious burger while reducing their impact on the planet is fantastic. It’s also brilliant to know that a portion of the sales of the burger is going to a local cause that supports vital education about learning basic cooking skills, and choosing healthier and more sustainable options. I’m looking forward to seeing what this partnership will bring in the future.”

Our partnership with Made in Hackney won the Best Community or Charity Initiative at the Restaurant Marketer and Innovator Awards 2023.