At The Ripe Avocado, Inclusion Is Always on the Menu
At The Ripe Avocado, diversity, equity and inclusion are central to who we are. We were founded to bring greater representation to the hospitality industry and to create space for those who are often overlooked. We represent the underrepresented.
As caterers, we believe food can do more than nourish. It tells stories, honours heritage and brings people together. It is also a tool for change and connection.
Each June, we celebrate Pride Month in honour of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights around the world. But for us, support for the LGBTQ+ community is an all-year commitment.
Last Christmas, we supported Stonewall Housing’s Kicked Out for Coming Out campaign instead of sending client gifts. Our donation funded 14 nights of safe accommodation and travel support for an LGBTQ+ person facing homelessness. We are also offering longer-term support through work and experience opportunities at our events, helping to open doors in our industry and teach valuable career skills.
We asked The Ripe Avocado team why they are proud to work for a company that is so openly supportive of LGBTQ+ issues. This is what they said:
“Growing up on a council estate and belonging to both British and African culture, being gay was the cherry on the cake, and knowing this at a young age made it all the more difficult. But I chose to fully embrace my differences and channel them into making myself the man I am today. Knowing how tough it can be makes it all the more sad that the world takes two steps forward and ten steps back in its DE&I efforts. Growing up, I promised myself that when the time came and I was in a position to give back to such a vibrant, creative and resilient community, I would. It warms my heart to know that our business can make the smallest of differences in the lives of challenged LGBTQ+ individuals today. What warms my heart even more is that I’m surrounded by a passionate, talented team who feel the same way.”
Jay Burgesson-Carter, Founder
“Being a gay executive chef hasn’t always been easy, not because of the food, but because managing people while living authentically meant navigating assumptions, expectations, and sometimes prejudice. I was lucky, my family always supported me. Being gay was never something I had to hide at home, and that gave me the power to be myself out in the world. But stepping into professional kitchens as a young, openly gay chef came with its challenges. Telling more experienced, more traditional cooks what to do wasn’t always easy, some didn’t take me seriously at first. But I never let myself down. I believed in myself, and in the idea that who I am should never hold me back, it should push me forward.
“Today, I’m proud to be an executive chef and even prouder to do it in a company that truly walks the talk on inclusion. Here, we don’t just tolerate differences, we celebrate them, a company that sees, accepts, and celebrates everyone, no matter who they are or who they love.”
Samuel Baeza Jimenez, Executive Chef
“We’re super proud to be part of a team where supporting LGBTQ+ communities isn’t just a once-a-month thing, it’s who we are every day. At The Ripe Avocado, everyone’s encouraged to show up as their real, authentic self, and that kind of openness makes work feel like a safe, welcoming space. We’re especially proud to support Stonewall Housing’s Kicked Out for Coming Out campaign. Creating safe, inclusive spaces shouldn’t stop at the workplace, so we’re offering work experience opportunities at our events to help LGBTQ+ young people get a foot in the door. For us, it’s about making our industry more accessible, and using what we do best to help build brighter, more secure futures.”
Lucy Robinson, Senior Sales & Events Planner
“As someone who values people who are unapologetically themselves, I’m proud to be part of a business that not only supports but actively champions the LGBTQ+ community and embraces every individual for exactly who they are. At The Ripe Avocado, inclusion and representation aren’t just words, it’s the very core of who we are and what we are trying to achieve. We believe that everyone, in equal measure, deserves to be seen, heard and valued for the very being that they are. Creating safe and welcoming spaces for people to show up as themselves fosters a culture of belonging, respect, strength, and self-belief and that is something I’m extremely proud to be apart of every single day.”
Chelsea Williams-Grant, Events Coordinator
“Being accepted for who you are shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for a few. Having friends and colleagues in the LGBTQ+ community, I know this isn’t always the reality, especially in the workplace. One of The Ripe Avocado’s greatest strengths is its diverse and empathetic team, united by a shared commitment to creating a supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
“It’s a real privilege to work alongside people who care deeply about inclusion and representation. Whether at work or at an event, it’s incredibly important to me that everyone feels able to show up as their true self, knowing that The Ripe Avocado is a place where they’ll be welcomed with pride and without judgement.”
Will Gubby, Operations Manager
We are proud of our team and proud to have created a business that acts with integrity, kindness and purpose. Pride is more than a moment in the calendar. It's a commitment we carry throughout the year.