COVENTRY care home residents and looked-after children were treated to a banquet fit for a King at the city’s Metropolis restaurant to mark last weekend’s historic coronation.
More than 70 guests gathered at the Earl Street restaurant to celebrate the occasion with the banquet prepared by students enrolled on training provider PET-Xi’s ‘Step into Hospitality’ programme.
Guests tucked into carved meats, coronation chicken sandwiches and King Charles’s favourite lemon cakes.
The West Midlands Lord Lieutenant Sir John and Lady Diana Crabtree joined in the celebrations on behalf of the King.
Coventry’s Lord Mayor Coun Kevin Maton and Mayoress Angela Maton were also in attendance along with several other city councillors and dignitaries.
And guests took part in some royally good fun including a treasure hunt and King’s quiz.
The cash for the food and drink was provided by the PET-Xi Foundation, which is made up of money raised by staff to help young people and charities in the city.
The training programme at Metropolis aims to help young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) learn the basics of cooking in a professional kitchen so they can achieve their level 2 qualification before they start work.
PET Xi CEO Fleur Sexton said: “We wanted to do something special for the community to mark the coronation and our trainees wanted to do this as part of their Step into Hospitality programme.
“We thought it would be fitting to throw them a party for the King’s coronation as there are many people who wouldn’t get a chance to celebrate over the weekend, and we also wanted to invite those at care homes to share in the festivities so everyone had the chance to celebrate.
“Everyone really enjoyed the food and drink and the activities during the event, and it was a lovely way for the attendees to experience such a historic moment for the country.
“They all received a thank you letter from HRH King Charles III and HRH Queen Camilla which was a fantastic surprise.”
