Now, this is a great idea. Kentish Town Road’s Caribbean diner Hoodwood (from the owners of long-running Guanabara) is giving out free Jerk Jacket Potatoes in exchange for donated coats or jackets this January. Why? To give back to those in need of some warmth in this cold spell.
For the uninitiated, Hoodwood launched last Spring by renowned restaurateur Omar Shah (also behind the iconic Bintang and now Michelin-listed Belly).
And yes, any customer who brings in this particular item will receive a free jacket potato from Hoodwood’s new range, before the clothing is donated to homelessness and community charities.
Donate just £2 to Kentishtowner
Hoodwood’s new jacket potato range contains three delish options. First up is the Jerk Jacket (£13, pictured above), a seasoned, oven-baked potato brushed with rich jerk butter and all-purpose seasoning, layered with a melted cheese blend and topped with oak-smoked jerk chicken thigh.
Finished with jerk gravy, a smooth white sauce, crispy onions, and fresh chives, this really is a flavourbomb: on an arctic January lunchtime, we devoured ours in minutes. And, better still, this is the meal you’ll receive in exchange for your unwanted outerwear.
Also on the menu is also the Oxtail Butter Bean Jacket (£15), brushed with butter, smothered in Oxtail Butter Bean stew, and the Chickpea Callaloo Jacket (£12), but these are not part of the “jacket for a jacket” scheme. And the regular menu features the ever-popular jerk rice bowls, homemade patty pies (these are utterly moreish) and wings, as well as sides like plantain, slaw and rice and peas.
“January can be a tough month for a lot of people,” says Omar, “so we wanted to do something that brings comfort in more ways than one. Our new jackets are proper Caribbean comfort food, and by exchanging a Jerk Jacket for a real jacket, we can help keep people warm across London while sharing what we love most – food that brings people together.”
Hoodwood is open 12 midday-10pm at 81 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NY.
Ts and Cs:
One jerk jacket can be redeemed per person customer throughout the campaign.
Jackets must be clean, warm and in good wearable condition.
Hoodwood reserves the right to decline unsuitable items of clothing.
Free item limited to Jerk Jacket Potato only.
Substitutions may apply if sold out.
Campaign runs 12th Jan–31st Jan. While stocks last.
