Some of the top chefs in the North East of England recently came together for a unique, celebratory dinner to raise money to support aid work in war torn Syria.
The idea for the Something for Syria event was cooked up by friends Sarah Melling, who works at Newcastle tea company Ringtons and local chef and owner of the award-winning eatery Cook House, Anna Hedworth, who sit on fundraising committee, One Good Deed.
To date more than £33,000 has been raised for the British Red Cross from the Syrian inspired banquet where 200 people packed into the Wylam Brewery, Newcastle, with a dream-team of senior chefs and rising culinary talent.
Among the senior, nationally renowned chefs, were Terry Laybourne (21 Hospitality Group), who was the first chef to bring a Michelin Star to the North East in the 1990s; along with James Close from the two star Michelin restaurant, The Raby Hunt, near Darlington.
Other talent included head chef at Wylam, Tony Renwick, Shaun Hurrell (Barrio Comida), Chris Eagle (Saltwater Fish Co), Dan Warren (The Broad Chare), Helen Doyle (21), multi-award winning Rhian Craddock and the team from The Feathers Inn, Gary Dall (The Roxburgh) and Matt Brown (Harissa Kitchen). Ken Holland (North Country Organics) provided fruit and vegetables.
There was also an impressive team of front of house volunteers led by Helen Craddock (The Feathers Inn) and Nick Shottel (21).
Chef Terry Laybourne said: “In true Middle Eastern style, there was a sharing theme to the dinner, a spirit reflected by the generous dishes and the collaborative approach taken by all the chefs involved in the banquet.”
Donations are still welcome and being accepted via: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/somethingforsyria