You'll know the name Too Many Critics from the London events which have seen food writers and critics like Jay Rayner cooking for the hospitality industry. So it was a pretty big deal for Damson MediaCity to host the first of the fundraising dinner events in Greater Manchester on Monday (17 March 2014).
Taste of Manchester's editor, Ruth Allan, was one of the critics-turned-chefs at the event which raised more than £13k for humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger. The hells kitchen style event was devised to turn the tables the nations critics, getting them to put their money where their mouth is, so to speak, and cook for the chefs whose cooking they make a living writing about.
The critics got to experience some of the heat of the kitchen as they catered for a room filled with 130 of the regions best known chefs and restaurateurs. The evening was hosted by BBCs Nigel Barden. The group of journalists came from around the UK - half from Manchester and half from London - and included Bill Knott (The Financial Times - centre), Charles Campion (London Evening Standard - far left), Lucas Hollweg (Freelance Food Writer - right in blue), Mark Gordo Garner (Manchester Confidential - second left), Andy Cronshaw (Manchester Evening News - centre right) and Taste's Ruth Allan (far right).
Guests enjoyed a champagne reception and canapés over looking the historic ship canal. The room had been specially fitted with TV screens and while sponsors from across the North West and beyond provided wines, cheeses, chicken - and much more - for a great cause.
Thrills and spills from the kitchen were streamed live on screens around the restaurant, before an auction with guests bidding for a raft of one off prizes including the chance to review a restaurant with Jay Rayner, take a holiday in the Gambia, purchase some unique fine art, and even have Manchester Confidential's Gordo cook in their home.
Excitement
One of the big stories of the night was Manchester Confidential's supper with Gordo prize being auctioned for £400 more than supper with The One Show's Jay Rayner.
Against the odds, the amateur kitchen team succeeded in feeding the guests - and received a largely positive reception to their efforts. The writers culinary prowess was put to further test as the critics were pitted against each other in a tense, extra pie challenge on the evening too. Ruth Allan came fourth in this category with a banana, star anise and citrus tart tatin. The overall challenge was won by former Come Dine With Me contestant, Mark Garner.
Emma Cullingford, Head of Food Related Fundraising for Action Against Hunger commented: 'It was superb to see Too Many Critics get off to such a great start in Manchester. Weve worked really hard to establish this event at such a high level in London, so were hopeful that we would get just as enthusiastic a reception in Manchester. Damson and the hospitality sector certainly havent let us down on that front! We hope this will be the first of much more activity for us with the food and drink industry in Manchester, especially at such an exciting time for the citys dining scene.'
All funds raised at the event go to Action Against Hunger - helping them fund their life-saving projects around the globe. Action Against Hunger works in over 40 countries and assists more than seven million people every year.