Chefs raise £125,000 for children's hospice
A group of top chefs has raised over £125,000 for Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice near Cardiff following a ‘Chefs' Night Out' dinner.
The event, held at Cardiff's Parc Thistle hotel, included an auction of chefs' services, raising £95,000.
MasterChef 2014 champion Ping Coombes received the highest bid of £15,000 to create a dinner party at the winner's home.
Other chefs in the 14-strong group included Will Holland, Hwyel Jones, Roger Jones, James Sommerin and Stephen Terry.
The initiative, hosted for the second time at the Park Thistle hotel, has now raised £425,000 for the hospice since it was first staged in 2010.
It has been organised by David Loosemore and Huw Edwards. Loosemore, whose eight-year-old daughter Bella benefits from the charity's services said: "The night went incredibly smoothly and that is thanks to our dedicated team and the skill and camaraderie of our chefs.
"We have raised a vast amount of money for this wonderful cause and Huw and I can't thank our team enough. Special mention must also go to our guest of honour, Katie Palmer, who regularly attends Tŷ Hafan. Her words touched the room and I'm sure contributed to bidders digging that little bit deeper."
Huw Edwards, organiser of the event said: "The overwhelming generosity, given in both time and money, is what makes our event so special. We would like to offer a huge thank you to all the amazing chefs, the suppliers, the hotel and, of course, all of the guests who have all helped to raise an incredible amount for Tŷ Hafan."
Ben Underwood, general manager of The Parc Thistle Hotel said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have supported Chef's Night Out and are so chuffed with the amount raised. It is particularly fitting for us as Tŷ Hafan is our official charity this year, we couldn't be happier with this success."
Jeremy Jackson, Tŷ Hafan's director of fundraising and marketing, said: "Chefs' Night Out is a unique and innovative event providing guests with an exclusive, world-class gourmet experience combined with an opportunity to support the vital work of Tŷ Hafan.
"The success of the event is dependent on the generosity of top chefs, many of whom possess Michelin star accolades, Welsh businesses and, of course, the great Welsh public. Inspired by Tŷ Hafan's care for his daughter Bella, David and his close friend Huw, have created an exceptional fundraising event that has already raised in excess of £425,000 for Tŷ Hafan. This is a phenomenal contribution and Chefs' Night Out is making a significant difference to the care we can provide.
"We are incredibly grateful for their unstinting commitment to, and support for, Tŷ Hafan."
Chefs' Night Out 2015 Line-up
- James Sommerin - Restaurant James Sommerin
- Stephen Terry - The Hardwick
- Roger Jones - The Harrow at Little Bedwyn
- Duncan Barham - The Grove
- Will Holland - Coast
- Hywel Jones - Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa
- Richard Davies - Manor House Hotel
- Will Guthrie - Buckland Manor
- Bryan Webb - Tyddyn Llan
- Sian Rees - Sosban
- Mark Jordan - Ocean Restaurant at the Atlantic Hotel/ Mark Jordan at the Beach
- David Kelman - Ellenborough Park
- Ping Coombes - Special Guest Chef & Masterchef Champion 2014
- Matt Smith - Llys Meddyg (Newport) Pembrokeshire
