Amazing email from Alain Roux!!
I had an amzing email from Alain Roux from the Waterside today, and am completley overwhelmed by it.
I'm currently organsing a charity event called "Strictly Come Dining" on Saturday 25th September at The Pinewood Hotel in aid of Calabash Trust which will raise money for children in the townships of South Africa, mainly Port Elizabeth (where the England team will hopefully win tomorrow!!!). The black tie evening will have a champagne reception for which Laithwaites Wines have donated the champagne, followed by 4 course dinner cooked by Luke Thomas (Futurechef winner and very talented young chef), The Pinewood Hotel, a guest Celebrity chef and I will be doing the dessert along with Alistair Birt, that has ingredients sponsored by Graham Beaumont of Fifi.The evening will culminate after an aucton with entertainment from some of the UK's top Jazz musicians who are regulary featured in the bands of "Strictly Come Dancing", "Parkinson" and "The X Factor"!
I've been asking companies to donate prizes or sponsorship for the auction and have had some great responses from the likes of Chelsea Football Club, The Fat Duck, Elior, Kempton Park Race Course, The Comedy Club and Barry Callebaut to name but a few. However the email today tops it all!! Now The Waterside being the Waterside doesn't normally give out prizes or donations but have given me an AWESOME auction prize.....for two people, a morning in the kitchen watching mise en place for service with the chefs, followed by the tasting menu and wines for lunch!!!!!!! Alain's generosity is amazing and I hope it will raise lots of money for the great cause. The event is actually sold out completly but if you want to get in touch with a view to prizes, donation or ingredient sponsorship then do contact me! www.willtorrent.com