The quintet of culinary kings composed of long-time friends and former colleagues Warren Geraghty, Group Executive Chef at Tom Kerridge Group, Dominic Teague, Executive Chef at One Aldwych, Allan Pickett, Executive Chef at Rhubarb Hospitality, Jeff Galvin, Chef Proprietor of Galvin Restaurants, and Chris Eden, Executive Head Chef at Watergate Bay.
They came together to cook a special four-course meal for 80 guests in aid of a cause close to their hearts, with auction items including a private dinner for 10 cooked by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, weekends at Wilderness Reserve, five-star country hotel stays, and a signed football shirt of World Cup winner Geoff Hurst.
The remarkable total raised from the event will be split between CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association and one of its Special Named Funds, Annika’s Challenge, which raises money specifically into research into anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), with one incredibly generous guest also pledging a further separate donation of £10,000 to the fund.
Warren’s friends Bjorn and Lisa set up Annika’s Challenge following their daughter Annika’s diagnosis of ALCL in 2019 when she was just two years old, with Warren witnessing the mental, physical and emotional impact of cancer and its treatment on Annika and her family.
Determined to show his support for Annika and other children with cancer, he has previously taken part in the Southampton Marathon for the fund and conceived the idea for the dinner as a way to complement his fundraising efforts for this year’s London Marathon which he ran for CCLG.
Reflecting on the evening, Warren said:
Overall, the night was a massive success. We were aiming for £15,000, so we’re made-up. It’s overwhelming, really quite humbling. It makes us really proud to raise that money, but also to raise awareness. [And] the atmosphere was really lively, very convivial. It was a really lovely night.
Warren believes that the cause and work of CCLG resonated with the guests, evidenced by their incredible generosity and pledges of future support.
He said:
Cancer is a horrific disease, and it touches people in so many ways. But when it's children, I think it strikes at the heart so much harder. [And] it’s not just what the children go through, but the families and everything they go through as well. It was great to see how much people do care, and how much people wanted to help. CCLG does such good work – what they do is incredible – and there's a lot of people who really do want to contribute. We received some lovely messages the next day saying if there's ever anything like it again, they'd love to come and support it.
Credit: Harry Elletson
While the focus of the night was on fundraising and raising awareness of CCLG and children’s and young people’s cancer, Warren also cherished the experience of being back in the kitchen with friends, adding:
They're my mates and I've known them for 30 years. They all gave up their time and genuinely enjoyed it. We had a really good night in the kitchen, it was a lot of fun. It was quite nostalgic to be in a kitchen with those guys. Everyone started telling stories from back in the day.
The success of this event was the result of a huge collaborative effort, with many people coming together to ensure its success.
Warren explained:
We hatched it as a bit of a small plan and then it kind of grew and grew. But you don't really know what people are willing to do for you until you ask. I'd love to say a special thank you to Dominic Teague, who was incredible in helping organise and putting things together, along with everyone at One Aldwych. It wouldn't have been possible without them. There are so many people, too many to mention. All the chefs, who are all very busy guys and took time out of their day. I’m very, very thankful for that. Emma, who works with me here [at Tom Kerridge]. She was phenomenal. Phoebe, our content executive, was brilliant. The suppliers who gave us stuff for free or at cost, everyone who donated to the auction. There were so many other people who volunteered to get involved, too.
He added: “People also came from all over, just to support the evening, so there’s a lot of people to thank for making the effort to come as well.”
Credit: Harry Elletson
Juliet Horner, of CCLG’s fundraising team, said:
We’re incredibly grateful to all those involved in bringing this special evening together. It’s a shining example of how, together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most, and the funds raised will help us continue to drive progress and fund ground-breaking research to create a brighter future for children and young people with cancer.