Trading in Genuine Dining for the Spirit of Hospitality

The lengths some people go to raise money for charity is nothing less than extraordinary. In December of the this year Chris Mitchell and Robbie Laidlaw of private catering company Genuine Dining will swap suits for rowing gear and cross the Atlantic for Hospitality Action. The epic voyage will require the pair row for 3,000 miles, most of the time alone.

“We’re rowing 3,000 miles for Hospitality Action,” Mitchell told The Chefs’ Forum. “The route takes us from the Canary Islands to Antigua and we’ll be completely alone rowing two hours on and two hours off 35-50 days. We’re leaving in December to take advantage of the trade winds which will help us to make the journey. We’ve named our boat The Spirit of Hospitality.

We’re doing this to raise money for an excellent charity and it’s going to be an incredible adventure. Chefs have suffered a lot during the recent pandemic and Hospitality Action were there to support them. Now it’s time for us to give back.”

“Although our boat is filled with tech we will spend much of the time alone. It will be just us and the sea. We may see the odd freighter but the challenge will be dealing with the mental side of rowing this vast distance.”

Jonathan Parker of Foodari, one of the main sponsors of the adventure commented: “We wholeheartedly support Chris and Robbie at this difficult time for chefs. Hospitality Action do a great job and we’re only too pleased to help.”

Catherine Farinha added: “At The Chefs’ Forum we are all about helping anyone in hospitality to shine whether it’s college students, chefs of any rank or experience and front of house staff. We fully support this great cause and are hoping to get Chris and Robbie to talk at some of our events. We wish them all the best.”