Jason Atherton hosts exclusive HA fundraising dinner at Social Eating House
Pollen Street Social chef-proprietor Jason Atherton hosted an exclusive fundraising dinner at his new London restaurant Social Eating House last night, and generated £29,000 for industry charity Hospitality Action.
This special event, which previewed his third London restaurant prior to its official launch tomorrow night, saw the 2012 Catey Chef Award winner and head chef Paul Hood prepare a five-course menu including curried halibut fillet with roasted cauliflower cheese and a chocolate mousse, chocolate éclair and salted caramel ice-cream dessert. The evening was supported by Fairfax Meadow, Flying Fish and Blenheim Palace Water, among others.
The evening also included a fantastic auction with some of the lots donated by Angela Hartnett, Sat Bains, Claude Bosi, Tom Kerridge and Tom Kitchin, raising nearly £17,000 alone.
Atherton, star of BBC 2's Great British Menu, presenter of My Kitchen Rules to be aired later in the year, and a patron of Hospitality Action, said: "We have been working towards the launch of Social Eating House for some time and what better way to preview the restaurant than with a fundraising dinner for a charity very close to my heart. The work Hospitality Action carries out is invaluable and I am delighted to be able to support them in this way."
Penny Moore, chief executive, Hospitality Action, said: "We are indebted to Jason for allowing us to experience Social Eating House ahead of the official opening and are extremely grateful to the entire team, led by Michael West, who have made tonight possible. The £29,000 raised will make all the difference to those who find themselves in crisis within our industry."
On 13 - 19 May, Hospitality Action is calling on the whole of the hospitality industry to unite and fundraise for its fifth annual Hospitality Action Week celebrations. To learn more about HA Week 2013, visit www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/haweek or e-mail fundraising@hospitalityaction.org.uk
