Dinner to raise funds for Ark Foundation
Chef and recovering alcoholic Michael Quinn is holding a dinner in support of the Ark Foundation, an organisation which he co-founded just three months ago to raise awareness of alcoholism in the catering industry. The event will be held at Newbury Manor hotel, Newbury, Berkshire, on 21 September.
All profits from the evening, called "Putting on the Ritz" in recognition of Quinn's former position as executive chef at London's Ritz hotel, will go to the foundation. An impressive line-up of chefs - Michael Croft from Calcot Manor, Tetbury; Andreas Antona from Simpson's, Kenilworth; Billy Reid from the Vineyard at Stockcross, Stockcross; Nigel Haworth from Northcote Manor, Langho, and pastry chef Claire Clark of 99% Pastry - will cook the five-course banquet under the leadership of Nicholas Evans, Newbury Manor hotel's executive chef, and Michael Quinn.
"At both ends of the spectrum - people with ridiculously low wages and those extremely well-paid - there's a lot of pressure and people can be driven to drink. Until now there has been no industry body to which they could turn," said Howarth. He predicted that there would be a significant demand in the industry for the services of the foundation.
The menu (see below), written in French out of respect for the Ritz's original style, brings together some of the classic dishes Quinn cooked during the early 1980s. His 40-year career reached a peak when he became the first British chef to head the Ritz kitchens in 1981 and he was hailed for reviving the hotel's culinary reputation, winning an MBE for services to the catering industry on leaving in 1985. However, alcoholism then forced him out of proper work until 1995, when Lord Rothschild gave him a position and a place to live, enabling him to start the road to recovery.
Since 1996 he has held various temporary positions in kitchens, including Newbury Manor's, but he now devotes most of his time to raising awareness of the problem of alcoholism in the catering industry through the Ark Foundation. "It's important that people are open about alcoholism. It's nothing to be ashamed of, it's a disease, not a moral issue," he says.
Quinn hopes to raise several thousand pounds on 21 September and is already planning a second fundraising dinner before Christmas, as well as courses and seminars relating to alcoholism. He is also negotiating with a major potential sponsor for the foundation.
Tickets for the dinner cost £295 per person and are available from Neil Matthews, general manager, Newbury Manor hotel, on 01635 528838. The Ark Foundation's Web site is www.thearkfoundation.co.uk.
"Putting on the Ritz" menu
Ravioli au confit de canard
1982 Bollinger RD Extra Brut
Tournedos de saumon avec consomm‚ de tomates
Bruno Paillard Rosé NV
Fillet de boeuf sauce marchand de vin
1983 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
1983 Château Latour
Granite framboise
1983 Château d'Yquem
Chocolat à la Claire
1985 Dow
Café et petits fours