Help BallArena ExCeL

A fantastic extravaganza for the industry and invited key stakeholders, by the industry, is looking for partners for the dance. Let's show them what our fantastic hospitality industry is all about and knock 'em in the aisles

Anton Edelmann, Peter Gordon and Chris Galvin, have all agreed to produce a course for the Ballarena charity ball and dinner, taking place at ExCel, on Tuesday, 24 February 2004.

Peter Gordon, the chef who put the Sugar Club on the map, is handling the starters; Chris Galvin, executive chef at Conran Restaurants is tackling the main course, and; Anton Edelmann, of The Savoy, is rounding off with dessert.

Arena's Tammy Mariaux says: "This talented line-up of top chefs illustrates the level of support we have for the event. The industry has really got behind the idea of a celebration of all that is great about the hospitality business."

Ballarena is aimed, not only at people already working in hospitality, but also at key stakeholders in education, government, associations and financial services. The event is intended both to showcase the industry and to raise money for its main charities - Springboard, working with young people, and Hospitality Action, providing support for those in need of all ages. Plus, it will offer the opportunity for school children and catering students to work alongside seasoned professionals on the night, giving them a real taste of what it is like to work in hospitality.

Operators and suppliers are being encouraged to offer their goods and services free of charge, to make this event into a true spectacular, giving guests a hugely entertaining evening and impressing non-industry invitees with the glitz and scale of the extravaganza.

In total, 100 partners are being sought, and the BallArena team already has most in place. Tammy Mariaux again: "The speed of reaction has been quite incredible, and many of the available slots have been filled. However, we would like to hear from anyone who would like to become part of the programme, as the object of the exercise is to provide a shop-window for the best our industry has to offer."

BallArena