Edinburgh’s George Clooney fans still go weak at the knees when they remember the Hollywood star’s visit to the city earlier this year.

The Hollywood A-lister was in town to support the Social Bite company, a not-for-profit group of sandwich shops which helps support homeless people.

Today, Josh Littlejohn, the social entrepreneur and co-founder of Social Bite, announced a new project.

Josh is bringing together some of Scotland’s leading restaurateurs to create Home, a new restaurant where diners can help support the homeless.

Mid-September launch

Home will launch in mid-September on Queensferry Street in the West End of Edinburgh. It will be owned by the Social Bite charity and operated by Dean Gassabi of the long-established Maison Bleue restaurants.

A supergroup of esteemed Scottish restaurateurs make up the board of the new venture. Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart, David Wither of Montpelier Group and experienced restaurateur Simon Littlejohn (who is also Josh’s father) all join together with Dean Gassabi and Josh in supporting the venture.

With around 70 covers for lunch and dinner, the restaurant will offer an Auld Alliance mix of French and Scottish cuisine similar to the current Maison Bleue offering.

Alongside a core professional staff, Home will provide training and employment programmes for members of the Social Bite Academy, the charity’s four year, paid course for homeless people.

Giving a hand up not a hand out

Diners will also be encouraged to pay forward meals for the homeless. Each Monday afternoon from 3pm-5pm, the restaurant will open for a special service for the homeless.

Martin Wishart will guest chef once a quarter and will be creating monthly specials for the menu. He will also be offering spaces at his Cook School to members of the Social Bite Academy.

Josh Littlejohn of Social Bite said: ‘I am grateful to these influential restaurateurs for supporting us to make this the best restaurant it can be. We see this restaurant as the next evolution of the Social Bite concept. It’s a place where diners can come for an amazing dining experience but also support some of the most vulnerable people in our society at the same time. We will be inviting the homeless community into the restaurant every Monday 3pm- 5pm to eat with dignity – not to offer a hand out, but a hand up – to employment, stability and self-worth.’