Our Autumn Lunch at The Bath Priory

The Chefs’ Forum held an Autumn lunch to celebrate a successful first year in aid of The Ark Foundation, part of Hospitality Action. The lunch took place at The Bath Priory on the 22nd October 2012.

Host and newly Michelin-Starred Sam Moody, Executive Chef of The Bath Priory along with his Michelin starred peers each cooked one of seven courses to showcase the best cooking that the South West has to offer. The chefs who took part were:

Martin Blunos (TV Chef & Hogarths), Josh Eggleton (The Pony & Trap, Chew Magna), Sam Moody (The Bath Priory), Simon Hulstone (The Elephant, Torquay), Russell Brown (Sienna, Dorset)and John Hooker (Lewtranchard Manor, Devon).

Ken Crosland from The Ark Foundation by Hospitality Action delivered a speech about the fabulous work the charity does in helping chefs with drug and alcohol issues.

The Ark Foundation was founded by Michael Quinn (the first English Head Chef of the Ritz), who lost his own career to alcoholism. He recovered and set up the Ark to raise awareness of alcohol and drug misuse within the industry. It’s now a key part of industry charity Hospitality Action, and its’ Chairmen are Jamie Oliver and Heston Blumenthal.

Ken commented:

“The work we do is vital in offering support to hospitality people when they fall on hard times. It is great that The Chefs Forum is helping to raise our profile and highlight the work we do”.

Hospitality and catering students from South West schools and colleges sampled Michelin Starred dining, most of them, for the very first time.

Catherine Farinha, event organiser and Chefs’ Forum Coordinator stated:

‘The Chefs’ Forum is now a South-West-wide concern. It was great to have all corners of the region from The Cotswolds to Cornwall represented at this event. This lunch represented everything The Chefs’ Forum has become and was a fabulous chance for tomorrows chefs and front of house staff to witness first-hand the best cookery and service in the industry!’