BIG congratulations to Action Against Hunger for raising over £21,000 from their Too Many Critics charity dinner at Iberica – and to cook-off winner on the night Emily Heward of the Manchester Evening News.
She and five fellow food journalists put their own twist on courses from the Spanish restaurant chain’s menu. Under group head chef Cesar Garcia, each was allocated a chef to work with, the results being judged by the dinner guests, who included some of the UK’s best chefs. So no pressure there then.
The chef judges included (pictured below): Stosie Madi (Parkers Arms), Steven Smith (Freemasons), Frances Atkins (The Yorke Arms), Aiden Byrne (Manchester House) and Lisa Allen (Northcote).
The critics taking their turn in the kitchen included Bill Knott (The FT’s How to Spend It), Emma Sturgess (Delicious Magazine), Neil Sowerby (Taste of Manchester) Mark ‘Gordo’ Garner (Manchester Confidential), Emily Heward (Manchester Evening News) and Ruth Allan (Manchester Wire).
We are told our ToM representative came in second with his asparagus on Pollen sourdough toast with cider and tarragon onion confit and 12 months aged Cheddar (above), but he and the rest were trounced by Emily with her spicy nduja patatas bravas, topped with an egg.
The evening, hosted by restaurant critic and author of ‘Where Chefs Eat’ Joe Warwick, was held in conjunction with the Northern Restaurant and Bar Show.
The night was sponsored by Juan Pedro Domecq 100% Jamón Ibérico, Champagne Taittinger, Beronia Crianza and Sanclodio D.O. Ribeiro.
Action Against Hunger runs life-saving programmes benefiting over 14 million people each year in 49 countries worldwide, including all four countries threatened by the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War with looming famine threatening one million children’s lives. Find out about their #UniteAgainstFamine appeal and how to get involved here.
Iberica, 14-15 The Avenue, Spinningfields, M3 3HF. 0161 358 1350.
