The Aston Villa Foundation, alongside Socios.com Supports and Digbeth Dining Club CIC, have successfully launched ‘Kerbside Cobs’ - a catering van redeveloped from a former crime scene investigation unit that will provide culinary education to communities in Birmingham.
The programme’s primary aim is to bridge the skills gap faced in the hospitality industry after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as combat low employment numbers in Birmingham.
Over a period of four months, the van has been through a dramatic transformation, with a kitchen fit, electrics and branding that reflects key landmarks within the city of Birmingham. The transformation of the van has been captured in a three-part series created by Socios.com Supports, hosted by Socios.com Supports ambassador and former Villa player Jermaine Jenas.
Filming for the third and final episode took place at Villa Park in February, when two previous participants of the Foundation’s Villa Catering Club course, Xaynah and Josh, took part in a cook-off. The winning cob was chosen to feature on the permanent menu.
The van’s menu is centred around serving sandwiches filled with a variety of different fillings, known to many in the West Midlands as a ‘cob’.
James Newman, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Chiliz / Socios.com Supports, said: “Kerbside Cobs isn’t just a van; it’s a symbol of resilience and innovation and a testament to community empowerment and transformation. Through culinary education and hands-on experience, Kerbside Cobs is bridging gaps and paving the way for better opportunities in the future.”
Kerbside Cobs had its matchday debut at Aston Villa’s home fixture against Nottingham Forest in February, where cobs filled with a variety of fillings were served to punters prior to kick-off.
The van will be operated at selected matchdays for the rest of the 2023/24 season by staff from Digbeth Dining Club CIC, who work closely with the Foundation on a variety of projects including the Catering Club and newly-launched initiative ‘Seed to Feed'.
Sarah Ventre, Director of Digbeth Dining Club CIC, said: “As well as training opportunities, Kerbside Cobs also provides a free and safe space for young people to practice their own street food concepts by using it as a test kitchen, helping to inspire budding entrepreneurs.
"Working on the renovation and seeing not only the transformation but the opportunities that the truck is going to give to the young people in our community has been wonderful. The icing on the cake for us is that we are also using the vehicle to feed children, as well as punters at Villa Park. The sheer size of it enables us to cater for hundreds of children at a time, whether it be at community events or children living in temporary living accommodation.
"The truck is a food hub for all and we are so excited to see where it will go and what it will do next.”
Ross Alexander, Foundation Manager at the Aston Villa Foundation, added: “We are pleased Kerbside Cobs had a successful launch at Villa Park following a transformation spanning the length of four months.
"Our next steps for the project will see the van utilised for training purposes, to provide students from the Catering Club course and parents from the ‘Seed to Feed’ initiative paid work and valuable experience on the truck, while the van operates on matchdays, at community events and visits local schools organisations to provide further food and health education to promote healthy lifestyles.”
