With an incredible history spanning over 170
years, Hospitality Action is a charitable
organisation that offers vital assistance to all who work or have
worked in hospitality in the UK and who find themselves in crisis. In the forward of the current Hospitality Action magazine,
Michael Caines reminds us how, ‘Hospitality Action strives to help individuals
experiencing life crises and helps to rebuild their lives.’
The
charity’s current principal patron is
three-Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal. Fellow patrons include such luminaries as Prue Leith, Raymond Blanc, Anton
Mosimann and the Roux brothers – these, along with a long and impressive list
of others, work with the charity and its supporters to raise funds to provide
grants for those in need and to educate through The Ark
Foundation.
Legendary chefs, Paul Heathcote, Nigel Haworth and Michael
Caines have come together to host
three charity dinners their respective restaurants. Raising over £7000,
the first of the three meals was hosted by Michael Caines at his Manchester
ABode restaurant. In September at Northcote Manor, Nigel Haworth will host the
third meal.
Paul Heathcote hosted at his Heathcotes Brasserie in Preston. The three chefs cooked a
wonderful meal helping to raise a figure in excess of £6,400.
Guests in attendance included the celebrity chefs Andrew
Nutter (who also acted as auctioneer at the end of the meal) and Aiden Byrne.
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Paul Heathcote introduces his first dish. |
Another chef committed to the worthy cause, Aiden had also
pledged his support to the Michael Caines’ backed ‘At your discretion’ campaign
that asks diners to add and extra £1 to their bill in support of Hospitality
Action.
My table included: Thom Hetherington (who himself has done a
lot of good work for Hospitality Action by being sponsored for his ridiculously
quick time on the Great Manchester Run and through his company’s Northern
Restaurant and Bar Show) Mark Garner aka Gordo (from Manchester Confidential -
the self proclaimed ‘Manchester’s Greatest Food Critic’) and Franco Sotigu from
Chroma Knives and Inka Grill (who had kindly donated a Type 301- Porsche knife for
the raffle that was signed by the headlining chefs) and, of course me, ‘Manchester’s
Greatest Food Blogger’ (Well, if Gordo can get away with the self adulation,
why not me?)
On arrivals guest were treated to a glass of Champagne
Lallier Premier Cru Rosé Brut NV provided by one of the evening’s sponsors,
Boutinot Wines. This went down well with the excellent Canapés by Paul
Heathcote including: Parmesan marshmallows, salmon and risotto pie, black
pudding, poached quail egg and mustard hollandaise.
The first dish of the evening was a simply sublime Veal Raviolo cooked by Michael Caines. They
say you learn something new every day. I learnt two things from this dish.
Firstly, the singular of ravioli being ‘raviolo’ and secondly, the fact that I
must get myself down to Gidleigh Park to try more of Michael’s food. (Paired
with a Domaine Pré Baron Touraine
Sauvignon Blanc 2011- Loire Valley, France.)
The next course, cooked by Paul Heathcote, was one of his
old favourites: Roast Halibut with
Morecambe Bay shrimps, a silky smooth caramelised onion purée and the
surprise star element of the dish, the delightful crispy chicken wings. (Paired
with a Domaine Boutinot Côtes du Rhône Rosé ‘Les Cerisiers’ 2010 – Rhône Valley,
France.)
Paul Heathcote’s Poached
loin of lamb crispy breast, pea purée, white and green asparagus and
fondant potato was the next dish to wow. The lamb was perfectly cooked and got
serious nods of approval from the serious foodie’s around the room. (Paired
with another Boutinot wine, a Circumstance Merlot 2009 - Stellenbosch, South
Africa.)
For dessert, Nigel Haworth stepped up to the pass to present
a technical Liquid Chocolate creation
made with Valrhona chocolate with carrot, orange and salted walnuts. (This was
paired with a Wiese & Krohn 1997 Colheita, interestingly served chilled.)
Another of the evening’s sponsors and raffle prize donors, Illy
Coffee provided a fitting end to the meal to go with the petit fours.
After the meal, Andrew Nutter took to the microphone to
conduct the auction. Prizes included a Type 301- Porsche knife and cooking
experiences at Heathcotes Brasserie with Head Chef Carl Noller; another
Heathcote’s Olive Press and at Michael Caines’ two-star Gidleigh Park.
The chefs were on top form all night, meeting and chatting
with diners and posing for photographs and the food was great – more
importantly, lots of money was raised for the worthy cause, Hospitality Action.
My ticket is booked for Northcote in September… see you there!
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