Lake District Michelin starred chefs are set to come together for a special charity dinner event.
The inaugural Great Cumbrian Chefs’ Dinner will see four of the county’s – and UK’s – top chefs host an exclusive four-course menu for 250 guests to raise vital funds for children’s charity Childline.
Chefs involved with the event have now been revealed and include multi-award-winning chef Paul Heathcote, MBE, chef-owner of Heathcote & Co and Ryan Blackburn, chef-owner of the Michelin-starred The Old Stamp House and Bib Gourmand-awarded The Schelly.
Ollie Bridgwater, executive chef at the Michelin-starred Source at Gilpin and Paul Leonard, head chef of the Michelin-starred Forest Side, are also part of the event.
The already sold-out evening is promising guests an exceptional culinary experience, accompanied by carefully selected wines paired with each of the courses.
The dinner will take place at Lowick Hall, near Ulverston, on Saturday September 20 and while the evening is already sold out – there is still time for people to get involved.
Organisers said there is still time for a headline sponsor to join the event alongside existing sponsors including Warburtons, The Furness Building Society, Cornvale Fine Foods, McClures, Aqua Pura, and Atkinson’s Coffee Roasters.
Proceedings on the night will be hosted by broadcaster and presenter Darren Proctor, while John Townsend will host a luxury live auction, featuring dining experiences, weekend breaks away and home-dining.
All of the funds raised by the event will help to fund the NSPCC’s vital Childline service.
Childline provides a safe, confidential place for children with no one else to turn to, whatever their worries, whenever they need help. Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
John Worth, former NSPCC trustee and honorary treasurer, said: ‘’We are thrilled to host the inaugural Great Cumbrian Chefs’ Dinner at Lowick Hall. We hope this event will significantly contribute to the NSPCC’s mission to protect children and prevent abuse.
“We would like to thank each of the chefs who have graciously agreed to participate this year, as their generosity makes this event possible.’’
Ryan Blackburn, The Old Stamp House’s chef-owner, said: ‘’I’m always proud to be involved with events like this.
“Being able to support Childline and help raise funds to help them continue to deliver their free and confidential services, helping children and young people, is a fantastic thing to be involved with, and I’m thrilled to be able to help.’’
Janette Drew, community fundraising manager at the NSPCC, said: “Volunteers and exceptional chefs have joined together to work tirelessly on this event. It’s going to be a spectacular night in aid of Childline, and I want to thank everyone involved for all their hard work and support.’’
In 2022 and 2023, Childline received over 700,000 calls, emails, and online chat messages. From these contacts, Childline delivered almost 200,000 in-depth counselling sessions to children and young people.
Children can contact Childline by phone, by email or by online chat and Childline counsellors are there for children and young people every day of the year.
The service was launched nearly 40 years ago in 1986, and the NSPCC and Childline joined forces in 2006. Just £4 pays for a trained volunteer counsellor to answer a child’s call to Childline.
For more information about supporting this event or any other fundraising and volunteer opportunities, please contact Janette Drew, Community Fundraising Manager for Cumbria & West Lancashire, email: [email protected] or mobile: 07710838169
