IT’S a high end venue, in every sense, for this year’s Too Many Critics charity dinner, where food scribes don kitchen whites to raise cash for Action Against Hunger.
The 2017 event at Iberica raised over £21,000 to help save the lives of malnourished children in 50 countries worldwide. The charity’s aim to top that on Monday, March 19 at Manchester’s glamorous new destination restaurant, 20 Stories on the 19th floor of the No1 Spinningfields tower (and what a view from it the other morning).
Casting hugely professional eye over the dishes our critics prepare in his kitchen will be chef director Aiden Byrne, once of Manchester House.
This exclusive event, in association with Northern Restaurant and Bar 2018, is one of the first at D&D London’s debut Manchester venture, due to open at the beginning of March. All of which adds to the pressure on the critics as they prepare to be judged by some of the North’s finest chefs and restaurateurs.
Aiden Byrne (above) is no stranger to Too Many Critics, having sat on the chef judging panel of the fundraiser for the last four years. “My experience of judging Too Many Critics has been so much fun and that is what we intend to continue. It’s our time to turn the tables on the critics and watch them put their money where their mouth is.”
This year, guests will be welcomed with a Champagne Taittinger reception before the critics are put through their paces to create some of 20 Stories dishes. This year looks to be the toughest year yet for our brave critics entering the kitchen including Joe Warwick (Where Chefs Eat), Mark ‘Gordo’ Garner (Manchester Confidential), Emily Heward (Manchester Evening News), Ruth Allan (Manchester Wire) and Taste of Manchester’s own Neil Sowerby.
Guests will then have the opportunity to bid on a host of exclusive and money-can’t-buy experiences and items in Live and Silent Auctions.
D & D London have supported Action Against Hunger for 20 years and in 2016 were awarded a Lifetime Achievement award for raising over £250,000 for programmes around the world.
Caroline Dyer, Action Against Hunger, said: “Too Many Critics is one of my favourite times of the year. Critics, foodies, chefs and industry professionals all come together to help raise vital funds for Action Against Hunger in one big fun evening. We’re really looking forward to this years event at 20 Stories and can’t wait to see which of the critics can create the best dish, hopefully topping last year’s total of £21,000 in the process!”
Tickets are available now. Click here.
Action Against Hunger Nepal Trek
IT’s a busy spring for AAH. Fiona Botham, from Levanter in Ramsbottom, is the latest food industry figure to join the humanitarian charity’s Nepal Trek, scheduled for April. The 21-strong team includes Mary-Ellen McTague (Creameries Chorlton and Manchester Art Gallery) chocolatier Paul A Young, Peter Sanchez (Casa Mia), Josh Eggleton (Pony & Trap).
They faces five long days on their feet through mountainous, challenging terrain at altitudes of up to 4,300 metres. Facilities will be basic with no access to showers or toilets throughout the trek, and the team will camp each night along the route. Their ultimate goal to raise £110,000. Last year’s Nepal trekkers are pictured.