9 minute read
NORTHCOTE NEWS
DOUBLE HONOUR FOR LISA
Lisa Goodwin-Allen’s reputation as a passionate educator is widely recognised and this year she has been invited to become the head judge for National Young Chef of the Year and a judge for the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Awards.
Lisa takes over as head judge from Paul Ainsworth, for the Young National Chef of the Year, which brings together those identified as the best young chefs in the industry, giving them a platform on which to build their future careers. Winning this competition firmly establishes a chef as a rising star in the culinary world, in the UK and beyond. Lisa said: “It is a great honour to be chosen to be the new head judge in this prestigious competition which is highly acclaimed throughout the industry and I look forward to the challenge ahead. Over the next two years, I want to really inspire young chefs to look at the quality of ingredients and flavours and tell a story of who they are with their dishes.” Lisa is also extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to help shape the next generation of culinary talent as a judge for the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Awards. The academy offers young chefs the opportunity to start an inspiring and educational journey, gaining global visibility and significant professional prestige. It is for UK-based chefs under 30 who are culinary game-changers, eager to challenge themselves and demonstrate their ability in creating the finest taste experiences. Lisa will take part in the selection process in October as young chefs battle it out to be part of this elite community.
BACK TO THE FLOOR
Hospitality Action smashed a fundraising record at Back to the Floor 5, when hoteliers acted as waiters for a fun-filled evening. What a night! Dancing waiters, a conga winding itself around the ballroom and desserts delivered through the air, all helped create an electric atmosphere among the 430 guests at the Royal Lancaster London, where a staggering £255,000 was raised for Hospitality Action. Northcote’s Craig Bancroft was right in the centre of the action, alongside industry-leading hoteliers donning aprons and twirling corkscrews, as they returned to their roots as waiters and sommeliers. The event was the fifth incarnation of the Back to the Floor fundraising initiative.
Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action, summed up the feelings of every participant and attendee as ‘joyous, hilarious, humbling and emotional’, while the benefits for the many hospitality households that the charity will be able to help as a direct result of the money raised, will be ‘transformational’. Some 65 hotel general managers and managing directors, alongside individuals closely connected to the industry, including Craig and The Caterer’s editor James Stagg, put their hearts and souls into ensuring the evening was a success. Recently retired hotel consultant Philip Newman-Hall the Back to the Floor organiser since 2013, along with Danny Pecorelli, managing director, Exclusive Collection had hoped to beat the highest amount previously raised at a Hospitality Action fund-raiser – this was £181,000 at the virtual To Hell and Back event in 2021. The target was not just beaten, it was well and truly smashed!
HOSPICE CHALLENGE
Businesses across East Lancashire have been invited to join the East Lancashire Hospice 2022 Corporate Challenge – and Northcote are proud to say they’re going for it! They will be joining other businesses to compete to raise as much money as possible for East Lancashire Hospice – a local charity that Northcote has been privileged to support for many years. The challenge, which runs until the end of August, will be a great way to involve Northcote’s customers and colleagues in a number of fun activities to help raise funds. The first planned event is a gourmet BBQ lunch for 50 guests, with Lisa and Bruno from Northcote’s Cookery School in the Louis Roederer Room and there will be more fundraising through the summer months.
If you have a business, or work for a business, in the Ribble Valley, Blackburn, Darwen or Hyndburn, why not go head-to-head with Northcote and see how much you can raise? There will be a regularly updated leader board, opportunities to meet and network with other local businesses, a chance to build a common sense of purpose across your teams and, no doubt, we’ll all have a bit of fun along the way while raising money for a great cause. To find out more and to get involved with Northcote and many other local businesses, call Leanne Green at East Lancashire Hospice on 01254 287011 or email Leanne at: info@eastlancshospice.org.uk
CELEBRITY CHEFS RAISE £70,000 FOR UKRAINE
Executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen joined some of the UK’s most respected and well-known chefs, to help raise over £70,000 through a charity dinner and auction in aid of DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The event saw award-winning chefs joining forces to lay on a sumptuous five-course banquet at Barboun, Shoreditch. At the dinner, they launched a week-long auction, raising an astonishing £70,000. The money raised will go towards providing critical food, water and medical assistance to refugees fleeing the crisis in Ukraine. Taking part in the one-off special event, and promoting the auction online, were Nieves Barragan (Sabor), Lisa Goodwin-Allen (Northcote), Tom Kerridge (Kerridge’s Bar & Grill), Angela Hartnett OBE (Murano), Neil Borthwick (The French House) and Ed Wilson (Brawn). Commenting on why she decided to take part, Angela Hartnett OBE, said: “It is impossible to witness the harrowing images on TV and not be moved to want to try and do something. It has been incredibly heartwarming to see how the British public have rallied in support of Ukraine, and like a lot of people, we just wanted to do our bit.
“I think it is fair to say that one thing chefs do very well is cook, and because many of us have been fundraising with Action Against Hunger for many years, we know that we can apply these skills to help raise much-needed funds. The money we raised on the night and through the auction will support refugees fleeing from Ukraine who are facing unimaginable hardship and will go towards providing much needed food, water and medical assistance.”
OBSESSION RECORD-BREAKER
Obsession 2022 broke every record raising £68,000 and leaving the nation in no doubt hospitality is back! Not only is Obsession a gastronomic phenomenon, it’s also one of Hospitality Action’s most valued annual fundraisers – and Northcote is proud to have contributed over £250,000 over the years. Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef at Northcote said: “Obsession22 was something special. The hospitality industry took such a hit during the pandemic, so we were all ready to put on a show of culinary brilliance, and that we did. The vibe, teamwork and overall energy from everyone involved was outstanding. “Over two weeks we also saw more than 1,660 guests travel to Northcote from all over the country, our biggest numbers yet since the inception of Obsession. It was amazing to see people out again, enjoying themselves and the feedback we’ve had from everyone who attended has been phenomenal! I have my amazing team and the incredible line-up of chefs to thank for that, as well as our incredible sponsors – without their support we wouldn’t have been able to create a festival of this magnitude. “One of the greatest achievements was that we were able to raise more than £68,000 for Hospitality Action, a charity which is close to my heart and one which helps support people who work in hospitality. Never has there been a time when these funds have been needed more.
“Events like Obsession are a great reminder of just how lucky we are to have such a great food scene in the UK and encourage us all to get back to the places we love. Sadly, while the outlook is improving for our industry, the demand for help from Hospitality Action is still high. Mounting debt, skyrocketing costs of living, reduced government support and expensive housing are pushing more and more hospitality people beyond the brink of poverty and we’re working tirelessly to help as many people as possible.”
Craig Bancroft, who is a proud ambassador for Hospitality Action, added: “HA has been Northcote’s favourite charity for many years. It is so important to all of us in this amazing industry to show that we support and sincerely help and assist those who need it, through misfortune, illness and modern life changes. I believe in giving back and protecting those around us who give so much every day.”
