The Editor's Hospitality Blog

Now here's a bit of globe-trotting for you. South African chef Grant Hawthorne last week hosted a celebratory dinner for Australian Formula 1 driver (and winner of the 2009 German Grand Prix) Mark Webber at English restaurant, the Plough Wavendon, with produce from South African and 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter's English farm, Laverstoke Park.

The international line-up proved for an interesting evening as diners tucked into an incredible seven-course degustation menu featuring some of Scheckter's amazing biodynamic and organic produce such as in the Laverstoke lamb en sous vide with broad beans, carrot, highland burgundy red and Aspley Guise truffle. All the dishes were accompanied by wines from Tasmania, which is where the Mark Webber Challenge Foundation (raising money for charities including the Save the Tassie Devil Appeal and the Leukaemia Foundation) is based.

I've just picked up on LBC that Marcus Wareing has received the chef gong in the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2009.

There's next-to-nothing on Google other than a piece on the Sun website, but nevertheless this marks the end of an incredible year for Wareing in which he was, for the first time in many, many years, in charge of his own destiny following his parting from Gordon Ramsay Holdings and the launch of Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley.

Speaking to Caterer after the awards, Wareing said: "[It was] the perfect end to my first year at Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley. [I am] delighted and honoured."

Other winners included Outstanding Achievement - Elvis Costello; International Man - Mickey Rourke; Alfred Dunhill Film-Maker - Guy Ritchie; Woman - Lily Allen; Band - Take That; Sportsman - Jenson Button; Solo Artist - Dizzee Rascal; and 2009 Catey Awards host comedian Michael McIntyre.

See our video interview with Marcus Wareing.

Well, what a day it was yesterday. Caterer held it annual Chef Conference at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London.

The conference kicked off with Heston Blumenthal who talked to Caterer group editor Mark Lewis about the affect of the norovirus had on his Michelin-starred restaurant the Fat Duck in Bray and how the HPA did not do enough to help restaurants in similar situations.

He also chatted about his new tasting menu, new book and the next instalment of his Feast TV programmed.

This was followed on by a debate on topical issues such as user-generated reviews, food sourcing and training. Joining the debate where chefs Shaun Hill, David Cavalier, Simon Hulstone, John Williams and Michael Caines. The debate was chaired by Brian Turner.

There were great masterclasses from Catey chef of the year, Angela Hartnett (Murano) who teamed up with Spain's Elena Arzak. Angela cooked roasted sweetbreads with pickled peaches, liquorish and fennel and a walnut pasta.

The smells in the conference room were amazing, and had the room salivating!

Elena, shared her recipes for walnut cream, with reinvented red cabbage - a delicate dish with vibrant colours.(see right)

The next masterclass came from two-Michelin starred chefs Michael Caines (Gidleigh Park) and Martin Burge (Whatley Manor).

Michael kicked off with pan-fried duck foie gras followed by wild salmon.

First-timer at the Chef Conference, Martin Burge, who despite his nerves presented his signature dish of mango cannelloni.

The Chef Conference ended with a Chef Eats out. Delegates to the conference had to choice to eat at two-Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Phil Howard's the Square and Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester.

To see more photos from the Chef Conference and Chef Eats Out go to Table Talk here >>

It's a pub crawl with a difference: four pub company bosses will this Friday attempt to scale Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro for charity.

Peach Pub Company co-founder Lee Cash and Peach's Tim Doyle as well as Lovely Pubs' chief executive Paul Salisbury and his brother David have so far raised £15,800 but are calling for further sponsorship to meet their £25k target.

The foursome are raising funds for When You Wish Upon a Star, the organisation that makes wishes come true for very sick children, and the Get A-Head Charitable Trust, which fights head and neck diseases, especially cancer.

"We're really chuffed with people's support so far for our charity climb, but are asking for one last big push to help us crack our £25k target," said Cash, adding: "The climb's for two really good causes and we'll definitely be giving it our all." 

To sponsor the quartet visit www.thethreemountaineers.co.uk

If Gary Barlow can do it...

(Picture shows left to right: Tim Doyle, Paul Salisbury, David Salisbury and Lee Cash)

Blog by Emma White