Around 150 people were invited to Stamford Bridge for the 2023 edition of the long-running Christmas lunch, which was taking place at our stadium for the third year in a row, having moved to the larger venue to accommodate more guests.

The professional chefs from Chelsea’s catering partner Levy donated their time and expertise to cook a fantastic three-course Christmas lunch for those invited, with further staff from both Levy and Chelsea helping out by waiting tables, setting up and cleaning down, as well as giving all our guests a warm welcome in the Champions Club.

The chefs packed up any leftovers for the guests to take home and share with others, while everyone left with a gift bag full of items donated by Chelsea, Levy and our partners, including warm clothing from the Chelsea Megastore and sanitary products provided by Unilever.

‘I have to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help the local community and put on a great event once again,’ said Navjeet Daine, Levy regional manager.

‘We’re also grateful to all our suppliers and partners who donated items, both for the food on the day and the gift bags for the guests to take home.

‘We have been doing this Christmas lunch for many years, but it always makes me proud to see how many people want to help. It is their dedication which allows us to bring our guests some much needed joy at Christmas.’

The lunch is provided in partnership with Chelsea Methodist Church, which provides year-round support for those in need through their Community Drop-In Centre on King’s Road, a short walk from Stamford Bridge.

‘We have been invited here for quite a few years now and this is one of the highlights of the year for the guests we serve, because this will be their only Christmas,’ said Reverend Faith from Chelsea Methodist Church, who knows the cost of living crisis means events like these have never been more important.

‘One of the things we’ve noticed this year is the numbers have increased a lot. Also we used to have a few women, but now we have a quite a large number. Some of these people have no hope, they don’t know what will happen to them next.

'Even people who have houses have been coming to us so they can get a meal twice a week, or take a shower before they go to work, because they can’t afford to eat or heat their water.

‘These are people who have nothing – they are homeless, they are struggling. So for them to come here and be treated as guests is amazing. We really appreciate Chelsea touching the hearts of people in the community like this, thank you for everything you do.’

It wasn’t just Chelsea and Levy staff helping out on the day this year, either, with the club’s fans also getting involved for the first time through the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, as board member Cliff Auger was among those waiting the tables.

‘Part of the reason the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust was set up was to work in the community and of course we like to work with the club, so this ticks all the boxes for us.

‘There are people who are vulnerable, who need help and support. We’re only too pleased to help and do our bit towards that, which is why we’ve been doing a food bank collection outside the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation next to Stamford Bridge for six years now.

‘I’m absolutely blown away by what Chelsea and Levy laid on for people, it was very impressive. You could see a lot of people with happy faces and I’m very glad I could help out.’