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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Escher Walcott

Mercury Prize 2022 food sent to charity after awards show postponed following death of Queen Elizabeth II

Mercury Prize 2022 nominee Self Esteem helped ensure that food from the postponed ceremony did not go to waste

(Picture: WireImage)

The 2022 Mercury Prize Awards gave leftover food from the ceremony to charity on Thursday night, after the event was postponed following the news of QueenElizabeth II’s death.

Nominees and select guests had not long sat down at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, when a announcement was made advising that in light of the monarch’s passing, the evening would not be going ahead as planned, including a formal meal.

Listed among the intended menu for the night were chicken and truffle, dumplings, tiramisu and sponge cake.

Rather than see the food go to waste, Mercury Prize nominee Self Esteem - real name Rebeca Lucy Taylor - took to social media to see if there were any charities that could benefit from it.

“If anyone near the Hammersmith Apollo can collect hot food and blast chill it please reply or dm me for more info,” she wrote on Twitter.

Adding: “The other food has been hooked up with the local church. Pls rt.”

The artist later shared an update, writing: “Had a small amount of leads but not many. Please keep retweeting but I fear there’s a time limit on hot food.”

Taylor, who was hotly-tipped for a 2022 Mercury Prize Award, was praised by followers for bringing attention to charities in need of the food left over from the ceremony.

The cancelled menu for the postponed show included chicken and truffle among other tasty treats (Tina Campbell/Evening Standard)

“Thank you for making something good happen out of an awkward situation,” one fan wrote in response.

Another said: “You are a good woman. A strong woman. Thank you for thinking of others,’ another weighed in”.

Someone else added: “So glad to hear some has been sorted.”

A Mercury Prize spokesperson said of the postponing of the event: “Tonight’s Mercury Prize event has been postponed at this time of great national sorrow. We know everyone involved in the Mercury Prize will understand.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family at this very difficult time.

“We will make an announcement regarding future arrangements as soon as we are able.”

Little Simz, Harry Styles, Kojey Radical, Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler are also among the 12 musicians on this year’s shortlist.

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