The Perfect Place to Grow

The story

The Perfect Place to Grow: Modern British Training Kitchen in Margate

A kitchen built on opportunity

Set in a converted Victorian morgue at TKE Studios in Margate, The Perfect Place to Grow operates as a training kitchen focused on modern British cuisine backed by artist Tracey Emin. Teams from local restaurants Angela's and Bottega Caruso oversee the daily service, guiding 18-to-24-year-olds who face significant barriers to employment. The programme combines kitchen practice with front-of-house shifts, supported by external partners offering maths tuition and counselling when needed. Trainees like Naveed, Salman and Zain have already applied their skills to cater private exhibitions for Tracey Emin at London's White Cube Gallery.

Dishes shaped by heritage

The lunch menu rotates based on guest chef sessions and the cultural backgrounds of the cooks, blending established recipes with student contributions. Regular plates include Bottega Caruso's ragù on toast, reflecting the modern British approach of incorporating international influences found across the coast. Recent showcases featured chicken karahi with rice, chana chaat, and aloo palak, proving how trainee heritage shapes the menu. Breakfast service delivers the egg, bacon and sausage roll, while desserts focus on madeleines served with custard. Seasonal harvest events also utilise vegetables from the site's own allotment.

Light and open service

Natural light floods the bright dining room, which centres around an open-to-view kitchen that displays the cooking activity to every table. Wooden benches extend outside during summer, pushing the dining area past the studio doors onto Victoria Road. The layout encourages interaction between the staff and guests, reinforcing the social purpose of the venue. A full licence permits wine and beer pairings, rounding out a setting where professional hospitality standards meet tangible community impact.