Soul Food Project was formed in 2010 by Matthew Beck and Carl Finn, who between have 10 years plus experience in the food, drink, music and hospitality trade.
The whole idea was based around the pop up restaurant revolution where chefs and cooks with great ideas / concepts were taking over the most bizarre spaces and hosting one off restaurant projects. The idea that you can make something from nothing (in true Soul Food fashion) played a big part in deciding that Soul Food was the direction to go in…Simple ingredients cooked with care and passion, turned into something beautiful and served with some Southern hospitality.
The first Soul Food Project opened its doors on May 26th 2010 at The Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath and that evening the kitchen fed Bonobo, Lizzy Parks and Andreya Triana….3 of the kitchens favourite musician / bands at the time. Since opening their doors at The Hare and Hounds, the kitchen has fed the likes of Chali 2na (Jurassic 5), Odyssey, Chapel Club, Quantic, Gilles Peterson, UB40, The Beat and many more…
We then moved our kitchen to the The Victoria in Birmingham City Centre…Our ‘Deep South Diner’ opened in April 2011 and has gone from strength to strength with a selection of handmade burgers, slow cooked gumbos and pie’s that make you weak at the knees, as well as a monthly Soul Food Soundsystem clubnight and a programme of live events in the live room and at various other venues across Birmingham…So far we’ve hosted the likes of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Hackney Colliery Band, The Atlantic Players, Craig Charles and Quantic and his Combo Barbaro….See events for full listings
The kitchen also offers private catering, buffets, DJ hire and training workshops, on top of a full season of music festivals across the country that you’ll be able to get your soul food kicks at!
The Directors
Carl Finn
Chef / Cocktail Bartender
Is there anything this guy can’t do? Yes…He struggles with omelettes….But he does cook the best Sunday roast in the world and can speak fluent Italian (it’s best you don’t test him). Carl is a classically trained French Chef and trained at some of the best restaurants in Cambridge, before running a bar in the beautiful Puglia region of Italy and then crossing the pond to Brum where he worked at and ran cocktail bars across the city. Carl crafts our menus, trains the team and hosts many of our private functions and events. Message Carl here
Matt Beck
Events / Marketing
Matt got into the drinks trade via the medium of wine.. He fell into this trade after a couple of years traveling around Australia and Europe, feeling that their was a gap for a food offering that was not only fun, but that also created a sense of community around it. Matt holds WSET advanced certificate in wine so feel free to test him (he swears blind that aged Alsace Gewurztraminer ‘is a dream’ with Jambalaya). Matt has also been involved in events and marketing since leaving school and runs a semi regular live clubnight (This is Tmrw) and handles SFP marketing and curates the events. Message Matt here
The pair also run Holy Trinity Events…An food, drinks and music events company dedicated to bringing global street food and culture to your parties / functions / buffets! More info email info@holytrinityevents.com
