If you’ve worked in hospitality for long enough, you know there are some people you’d go into any shift with.
Andy Pitt is one of them.
He’s been part of the Ginger Brigade for years, stepping into kitchens all over the Northwest, picking up last-minute cover, running the pass, or quietly keeping the wheels turning during the busiest, most pressured weekends. There’s a calmness about him. He just works hard, helps the team around him, and leaves the kitchen better than he found it.
We’ve seen Andy do that more times than we can count.
It’s easy to forget how much Relief Chefs give to the venues they support. They turn up on short notice, walk into unfamiliar kitchens, and do the work without complaint. Andy’s done that for pubs, restaurants, and venues across the Northwest and beyond. Always showing up with the same steady reliability.
That’s why this moment hits hard.
Andy’s had an accident and can’t currently work. And like so many Relief Workers, time off doesn’t come with sick pay. It means no shifts. No income. Just pressure, financial, emotional, and heavy.
We’re a brigade, not an agency. And Andy is every bit a part of that.
He’s the kind of person who helps carry the load when a team is struggling. He’s stepped in last-minute, stayed late, and helped venues hold the line when they had no other option. If you’ve worked with him, you’ll remember that. And if you haven’t, you’ll understand why we’re standing behind him now.
Because this is what Hospitality is at its best. We cover each other’s shifts. We make sure everyone eats. We lend a hand when someone’s in the weeds. And when one of our own goes down, we rally.
We’ve launched a fundraiser and prize draw to raise money directly for Andy and his family during his recovery. The prize is a short-sleeved Oliver Harvey chef jacket, designed for comfort, quality, and real chefs like Andy.
Each entry costs £1 and you can enter as many times as you like.
The draw will close on 24 August, with the winner announced on 25 August.
To donate or enter the prize draw, simply follow the link below. It only takes a minute, and it means everything.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/together-for-andy
We’re with you, Andy. Always. And we’ll be first in line to welcome you back when you’re ready.
