An independent restaurant is aiming to give away more than 200 Christmas dinners to those who need it most this festive season.
Lowe’s on Carter Street, in Uttoxeter, will be handing out three-course Christmas dinners – complete with Christmas cracker, card and presents for the children – completely free of charge, no questions asked.
The community scheme was launched by chef George Lowe, who runs the restaurant with his wife Jemma, before Lowe’s opened in 2023.
More than 200 meals were prepared, cooked and delivered to people who needed them across Uttoxeter last Christmas, and the couple expect to deliver even more this year.
George said: “2025 has been tougher than ever financially for many people. The cost-of-living crisis has got worse and food prices are rising. People are struggling mentally, physically and financially, that’s why this year, Jemma and I feel it’s more important than ever to give back.
“We don’t ask questions. It could be that people simply can’t afford to cook Christmas dinner, it could be that someone is spending their first Christmas alone because they’ve lost someone close – whatever the reason they don’t have to tell us, we will help.”
The meals will be freshly prepared by the Lowes team, then delivered on Christmas Eve, ready to reheat the following day.
The idea came about during a treacherous drive to Buxton in the snow for George’s cousin’s wedding.
Jemma said: “It was blizzarding and we didn’t think we would make it because of the snow.
“George said he needed karma to get us there and randomly said, if we make it, I want us to cook 50 community Christmas meals. Thankfully we made it and so that’s what we did. It was way before we opened the restaurant, so it was all hands-on deck, and we did it. Year on year we’ve cooked more and more meals and it’s become incredibly important to us and the Lowe’s team.”
George and Jemma both grew up in Uttoxeter and George has worked internationally, previously owning a consultancy business that opened restaurants and cooked for the rich and famous.
He added: “Growing up, Christmas was the most magical time for my family and Christmas Dinner was the most important meal of the year – it still is for some, but for others it can be an added stress or burden. To do our bit and give back to the community who have supported us, makes us immensely proud. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when we deliver the meals is the happiest part of the year for us, nothing else comes close.”
Anyone who is struggling and would benefit from a Lowe’s Christmas dinner, or who knows someone who would, should email info@lowesoncarterstreet.com
