A Lake District kitchen showdown raised £23,000 for Cumbrian charities.
Kitchen Rivals, at the Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, saw law firm Knights take on accountancy firm Armstrong Watson with the aim to produce a winning meal.
Each team prepared a three-course meal for 90 VIP guests, with eight members per team putting aside their usual roles to showcase their culinary talents.
The event was raising cash for Keswick Youth Services, Cumbria Community Foundation, and Carlisle Youth Zone.
It raised £17,310 and with match funding for the community foundation’s portion, the total was £23,080.
Guests were invited to pay what they felt the meal was worth, and the team that raised the highest amount was crowned the winner.
This year, Armstrong Watson’s red team, led by head chef Bobby Fillingham, of The Skiddaw Hotel, emerged victorious.
Keswick Youth Services provides vital support for young people in the Keswick area, helping to foster a positive environment where youth can thrive and contribute to their community.
Carlisle Youth Zone offers a safe space for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with activities that help them develop essential skills and build confidence.
Cumbria Community Foundation is an award-winning charity that supports local communities through financial grants to address needs in areas such as health, education, and social inclusion.
The event also featured an auction and a raffle.
Dani Hope, director of Lake District Hotels, said: “Lake District Hotels has been proud to host Kitchen Rivals since it began in 2016, and with this being the fifth event, we’ve really been able to build on our experience to make it a great success.
“This year, we’ve raised a record amount, with a third going to Keswick Youth Centre Services, our charity of the year. Knowing this will help them bring in another supervisor to support young people in our community is something we’re incredibly proud of.
“A huge thank you to everyone who supported us – your generosity will make a lasting difference to the Keswick community.”
