Weston Park Cancer Charity’s trustees will roll up their sleeves to serve up a feast, when they join with two Master Chefs of Great Britain to host more than 150 guests for a high-quality banquet at the University of Sheffield’s historic Firth Court venue later this year.
The charity’s team of trustees will be making full use of the £50 handed out when they signed up for the 2020 Master Cutler’s Challenge by pulling on their aprons and “doing as they’re told” on 17 July. Along with expert chefs, Tracy Carr and Debbie Gooder, Executive Chef and Head Chef for Accommodation and Commercial Services at the University of Sheffield respectively, they will put on a delicious banquet to raise vital funds.
This comes as part of the 2020 Master Cutler’s Challenge, for which Weston Park is this year’s nominated charity.
Both Tracy and Debbie have been awarded Master Chef of Great Britain (MCGB) status, an accolade shared by only the very best culinary professionals in the UK.
Weston Park Cancer Charity trustee, Rob Coleman MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPE, told unLTD exactly why the charity’s trustees were so keen to do their bit for this year’s challenge.
“We really wanted to roll up our sleeves and get stuck in,” said Rob.
“We wanted to put on an event which all of the trustees could get involved in and wanted to move away from the traditional kind of sporting activity, to get into the kitchen with some expert chefs and prepare a banquet.
“Originally, we started with modest aims, but we’ve now gone fully up market and our dinner is going to be an extremely high-quality event!”
All of the courses at the special banquet will be designed and supervised by culinary experts, with Weston Park’s trustees ‘working to their instruction’, as Rob explained.
Rob said: “Tracy and Debbie will be overseeing the main course, and we will also have a pastry chef overseeing the dessert. Plus, we’re optimistic that there will be a special appearance from another celebrity chef – our line-up will be announced in the coming weeks!”
Rob, who is Emeritus Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Sheffield in addition to being a Weston Park trustee, also hopes that his team will not have bitten off more than they can chew.
He said: “We’ll be working with the celebrity chefs during the days running up to the dinner. Originally we thought we’d just pitch up in the morning and serve our guests in the evening, but that’s not going to be the case.
“We’ll be helping the chefs for days in the build-up to ensure the very highest quality of food, meaning it’ll be dinner with a difference!
“We’re all really passionate about Weston Park Cancer Charity and the work that goes on at Weston Park Hospital.
“Sadly, cancer is such a common disease, but we want to pledge our support to help raise vital funds and awareness, which will in turn support the charity with research into better treatment and provide support, information and care for our patients and their families.
“With that in mind, we’re urging businesses and individuals within the city to support this event and come and join us for a great night.”
For more information on Weston Park Cancer Charity and the Master Cutler’s Challenge, visit: https://www.westonpark.org.uk/the-master-cutler-challenge/
