British Culinary Federation sends chefs to South Africa for charitable trip

Chefs from around the world are uniting for a tour to fight against hunger in South Africa.

A group of six chefs from the British Culinary Federation will be joining the tour, which is spearheaded by the South African Chefs Association.

The British contingent will include veterans Brian Cotterill, Colin Capon and Rod Naylor as well as first timers Jim Eaves, Graham Crump and Paul Easterbrook.

The week-long tour, which is only the third in 18 years, will see the volunteer chefs split up and sent to key destinations in South Africa where they hold live cookery demonstrations, TV presentations and participate in food festivals. They will also cook at gala dinners with auctions in a bid to raise money.

Chefs also visit children who benefit from the charity and distribute food parcels. "It is a really pressurised ten days, both physically and emotionally," said Cotterill.

"It is a totally humbling experience for the chefs participating, many finding it hard to believe that, in today's society, there are areas where people facing starvation is the norm. I am so proud that six members from the British Culinary Federation have volunteered to join the tour."

The first tour was held in 1993, the second in 2003, when chefs from 33 countries participated. This year the tour will be held from 21 -30 August.

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By Emily Manson

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