Pidgin soars past fundraising target
The tiny Wilton Way venue’s founders created a GoFundMe page on 14 December and have now raised £61,240 from 386 donors.
In a video message posted on the crowdfunding site, James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy revealed Pidgin was unable to access some of the loans introduced by the government for the hospitality sector, so is turning to the public for financial help.
Herlihy said Pidgin is coming up to serving its 1000th meal, adding “we’d like to get to 2000, 3000 dishes, be here for another five years, ten years.”
The restaurant is asking for ‘donations’ ranging from £25 to £5000.
£25 - £200 will get credit against a future visit while higher sums will net experiences at the restaurant, including private wine tastings, a meal cooked by the founders and even a bespoke private event at the 23-cover restaurant.
Seven people opted for the latter options, including Hawksmoor founder Will Beckett.
Metal plates will also be hung in the restaurant with the names of each person who donated to the campaign.
Herlihy stressed they are confident Pidgin can overcome the crisis with the support. “We’ve got a fantastic team and a great relationship with the community here”, he said, “and we’d love to keep going.”
The GoFundMe can be found here.
Pidgin has a weekly changing menu, wine and cocktail list, and famously never repeats a dish.
Opened in 2015, it grew out of the success of Ramsden and Herlihy’s first venture, London supper club Secret Larder in Holloway, North London.
