The 24-Hour Soup Kitchen: Soul-Stirring Lessons in Gastrophilanthropy

by Stephen Henderson

While traveling for a magazine assignment in India, Stephen Henderson learned of 24-hour soup kitchens operated by Sikh houses of worship (or gurdwaras). After working for a week as a volunteer cook at the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi, which feeds 20,000 men, women, and children every single day, Henderson became curious about the different ways poor people get fed around the world. He describes a fascinating series of culinary adventures, during which Henderson spent time laboring alongside many gastrophilanthropists, or chefs who make feeding the needy their form of charity. Part memoir, and part how-to guide, Henderson's field reports from across the globe show how much joy a good meal will give to a homeless and hungry person. Written with both humor and compassion, the experiences described in this book will inspire anyone who would like to fight poverty in some tangible way, but are not sure where to begin.

Genres: Food, Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Foodie

304 pages, Hardcover

Published March 10, 2020

Reviews

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"If you cook it they will come."
The son of a Baptist preacher, later a journalist, married to a well paid partner and with an affluent lifestyle, the author was impressed by the work done in some places to 'feed the hungry and help those in trouble'. This book charts places around the world he's visited and, often, briefly worked in, from soup kitchens around the world, including Mexico, India, Japan, Korea and Israel as well as the U.S.A. and, he describes the place, the people and the food, and anecdotes about the culture, religions as well as individual personal stories. It is fascinating, surprisingly uplifting. As he comments, 'We are all human' further adding the slightly rearranged quotation, 'Do into others as you would have God do unto you'.
But this is not a preachy, religious book: it is personal, all of those running the kitchens, feeding others for free, have their own reasons for doing so and Stephen Henderson lets his readers glimpse the persons behind the ladle as well as his own thoughts and experiences. This is all captured and expressed in narrator Adam Lofbomb's exemplary performance.

Sometimes funny, occasionally sad, this is a very readable, human book. Available as a free download with the Audible Plus programme, The 24 Hour Soup Kitchen is highly recommended

[Carianne Carleo-Evangelist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn’t the book I was expecting, and wow was it really good. What started with Henderson’s purchase of a high-end stove turned into an overview of how different religions, cultures and countries feed their fellow folks. As wide ranging as a Sikh temple that serves many thousands each day to a century old mission and traditional soup kitchens. I appreciated the distinction each looks at itself, the professional chefs and the focus on providing healthy meals while simultaneously knowing its community and what they’re willing to eat. Throughout this, Henderson grew in his cooking to understand tools available, dietary needs and more. Excellent start to 2025.

[Kerry Czoch · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is filled with exaggerations and absolute lies about what goes on in the soup kitchen that I worked in for 20 years. I don't know if was done to make Mr Henderson's story seem more interesting than it really is, but the characterizations of the employees that work at Faith Mission are complete fabrication. I don't know if the other "events" he's experienced around the world ever happened, or they may just be a figment of his obviously overactive imagination. I'm frankly disgusted. Don't use my name again, Mr Henderson.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a bunch of short stories, each highlighting a different way of cooking for those in need of some sort. Only one tiny fact-check error (Graham Kerr is British, born in London, not Scottish), but otherwise an intriguing exploration of how food can help people. Also learned a fair bit about Alexis Soyer -- bon vivant, eccentric, and feeder of people who needed feeding (including Irish starving during the Potato Famine and Brit soldiers in Crimea).

[Patty Hooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was so interesting and inspiring. I loved hearing his thoughts, ideas, mantras, idols and while I did not agree with all of them, it was a wonderful perspective. The afterward of this book moved me too and I appreciate the recipes in the back! Thank you for sharing!!

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty well written and very interesting stories but the author comes across as a self-absorbed rich dude "slumming" it for fun.