EVERY year the team at the Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund dig ever deeper, raising huge sums of money to help local people in their darkest hours.

Over the years an annual celebrity fundraiser has brought dozens of Michelin-starred chefs to South Cumbria, ready to wow an eager public with their skills.

Dan Austin, managing director for LDF, said every year the goal is to raise as much money as possible and that 2018 will be no exception to the rule.

He said: "Last year we raised £47,000. An incredible amount. We had a lot of sponsorship last year and a lot of good results in the auction and the raffle. The target is always simply to raise as much money as humanly possible.

"We are always tough on ourselves. That's why we've seen the amount we raise go up every year. To reach £50,000 is a big ask. But I hope we do that."

The LDF Armstrong Family Charitable Fund was established in the memory of local businessman and philanthropist, Ray Armstrong, after he died of cancer in April 2013. Since then, the charity has given out close to £200,000 to good causes over the last four years.

The 2018 celebrity chef events will be held over two weekends in February. The first will take place on Friday February 9 and Saturday 10 at Clarence House Country Hotel and Restaurant in Dalton; the second on Friday February 16 and Saturday 17 at the Abbey House Hotel in Barrow.

With tickets on sale today (Monday December 11) the LDF is hoping another star-studded line up will make this year a record breaker. Renowned chefs such as L'Enclume's Simon Rogan and Angela Hartnett MBE will be returning, to the delight of the event's organisers.

Mr Austin said: "With that experience we know we will deliver a solid event. In my opinion, after looking at the menu, it will be the biggest and best year yet."

To book tickets for February 9 or 10, call 01229 870168. To book for February 16 or 17, call 01229 838282.

Meet the chefs for the 2018 fundraising events:

Friday February 9, Clarence House, Dalton - Jeff Galvin


Jeff Galvin, one half of the Galvin Brothers, are the only British brothers in the UK to hold a Michelin Star. Mr Galvin made his name working in the kitchen of London's Chez Nico, and was part of the team which saw the restaurant claim its third Michelin Star.

He now runs three restaurants, including Galvin Demoiselle at Harrods, Galvin At Windows at the London Hilton on Park Lane, and Galvin La Chapelle.

Friday February 9, Clarence House, Dalton - Tom Aikens


Tom Aikens comes to Furness with a prestigious background. At the age of just 26 he became the youngest British chef ever to be awarded two Michelin Stars.

Working across illustrious establishments at home and abroad a hallmark of his style of cooking is sourcing ethical ingredients of the highest quality. He has written three books and is a vocal member of the Environmental Justice Foundation, raising awareness of illegal fishing.

Friday February 9, Clarence House, Dalton - Phil Howard


Cooking's gain was microbiology's loss when Phil Howard gave up a career in science to pursue a life in the kitchen. Beginning his journey in the kitchen at Roux Restaurants in 1988 his trajectory has always been on the rise. His reputation is founded solidly in creating the best flavours with the least amount of technical wizardly our outlandish innovation.

Saturday February 10, Clarence House, Dalton - Angela Hartnett, MBE


A firm favourite not just at this event but across the country, Angela Hartnett has developed a unique style throughout the years. Famed for simple yet sophisticated Italian cuisine, she was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her services to the hospitality industry. Decorated with a Michelin Star and several AA Rosettes, Mrs Hartnett will be the sole chef cooking on February 10, surely to the delight of everyone in attendance.

Friday February 16, Abbey House, Barrow - Simon Rogan


The man behind one of the best restaurants in the country, and possible the world needs little introduction.

Since establishing L'Enclume in Cartmel in 2002, Simon Rogan has become one of the most respected chefs in the UK.

L'Enclume's 21-course tasting menu was once described as a "miracle of nature", and after being named the country's best restaurant for the fourth year running, there are few plaudits Mr Rogan has yet to win.

Friday February 16, Abbey House, Barrow - Brett Graham


Beginning his cooking career aged just 15 working at a fish restaurant in Newcastle, Australia, Brett Graham got his break after moving to Sydney, working at the acclaimed Banc Restaurant.

After winning the Josephine Pignoet Award the young chef set out for London to hone his talents. Schooled under Phil Howard, the past 15 years have seen him go from aspiring chef to running the only Michelin-starred pub in London, the Harwood Arms.

He is the highest ranked Aussie on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, where his restaurant, The Ledbury, is currently pegged at number 27 it’s been as high as number 10).

He also has three Michelin stars – two for The Ledbury and another for the Harwood Arms, London’s only Michelin-starred pub.

Saturday February 17, Abbey House, Barrow - Clare Smyth


At the age of fifteen, Clare held a job over a holiday period at a local restaurant, inspiring her to become a chef. She left school at sixteen to study catering at Highbury College in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

In 2002 Gordon Ramsay offered Clare a post at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.

Clare Smyth was Chef Patron at Restaurant Gordan Ramsay from 2012 - 2016. She became the first female British chef to hold and retain three Michelin stars.

Along with winning Chef of the Year 2013, she also achieved the perfect score 10/10 in the 2015 edition Good Food Guide. She regularly appears on TV shows such as Masterchef and Saturday Kitchen.

Clare moved on from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay to open her debut restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth earlier this year. Clare also won the Cateys Chef of the Year Award 2016 and Michelin Female Chef 2017.

Saturday February 17, Abbey House, Barrow - Matt Abé


Another alumni of Gordon Ramsey, Matt Abé has steadily risen through the ranks over the past 10 years. After moving on from the Gordon Ramsey Group he spent two successful years as the sous chef at London's Claridge's.

Moving back to the Gordon Ramsey Restaurant he took over as team leader following Clare Smyth's departure, retaining the restaurant's

three Michelin Stars.

Saturday February 17, Abbey House, Barrow - Adam Byatt


A strong family influence from his army chef grandfather and professionally trained mother a career in cooking was always in the stars for Adam Byatt.

An early career working in Claridge's led to him opening his own restaurant, Thyme, in 2001. In 2005 he opened another, Trinity, which was awarded a Michelin Star, named the AA Guide's London Restaurant of the Year, and Time Out's Best New Restaurant. The only newcomer to the 2018 charity event, Mr Byatt's blend of traditional cooking blended with technical wizardly is sure to be a public favourite.