AFTER months of preparation, this week will finally see a host of huge names arrive in Cumbria for the fourth annual Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund celebrity chef event. EMMA PRESTON reports

IT is set to be an exciting day for the team behind the Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund.

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As the final touches are put to their annual celebrity chef event, hosted and sponsored by Clarence House Country Hotel and Restaurant, this year’s stars are today due to arrive in Dalton ahead of tomorrow’s opening night.


Hairy Biker Dave Myers cuts the ribbon to officially open the event in 2015, with (left) Victoria Barber-Bolam from Clarence House and (right) Dan Austin from Lake District Farmers. LINDSEY DICKINGS Victoria Barber-Bolam, the hotel’s managing director, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic getting to meet them - showing them our hotel, chatting with them, throwing around different ideas - but of course some of them have been coming from the very very start, so with them it’s like greeting old friends now.

 “We just love it, absolutely love it. The atmosphere is electric from the moment they all arrive.”

This year’s event, due to run from tomorrow until Saturday, will be the fourth held in honour of fund founder Ray Armstrong.
Ray Armstrong. SUBMITTED

The Barrow businessman set the scheme up following his diagnosis with liver and pancreatic cancer in August 2012 and his family, friends and staff have continued his legacy since his death in April 2013.

With previous years having raised as much as £36,000, and the fund having given away more than £115,000 in total to local families, charities and community groups, organisers of the extravaganza are determined to up the ante yet again.

With more Michelin stars across the line-up than ever before, and with each chef now having only two courses each to concentrate on rather than three, the quality of the culinary experience is expected to be better than ever.

Lake District Farmers managing director, Dan Austin, said: “The build-up to the event is the most stressful time of the year for us, not only because of all the organising it takes, but because of how precious it is and what it means to us.

“When it comes to the event though, it’s the best three days of the year.”

Each evening’s charity auction will, for the first time, include a chance for people to win a celebrity chef’s cooking for a party of 10 within the comfort of their own homes.

Saturday night’s guests will bid for Phil Campbell, head chef of Goodman steak restaurants in London, while Friday’s will have the chance to host Alex Harper, a Michelin star chef and protegee of Raymond Blanc and Brett Graham.

Thursday’s winner will be able to offer their guests the culinary expertise of Luke Rayment who, after moving to London in 2006, became sous chef at the Savoy Grill in 2011.

Within a year he had become head chef of Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, where he oversaw the final service prior to the Kitchen Nightmares star leaving the world-famous hotel.

Mr Austin said: “It will be such a special experience to have someone of that calibre cook in your own home.”

In the meantime, this week’s guests will be enjoying the unique experience of having multiple Michelin-star chefs prepare a six-course taster menu for them, all in a stunning location on their own doorsteps.

They will enjoy not only the cooking but the company of the celebrities, who take the time to mix with the diners after finishing in the kitchens.

Mr Austin said: “Spending time with the chefs, spending time with the diners, spending time with people who contribute to our charities is just such a wonderful thing to be able to do. There’s such a great atmosphere in the room and it’s something we all look forward to so much.”

Top chefs relish the chance to play their part

The fourth annual Lake District Farmers Armstrong Family Charitable Fund celebrity chef event will run from Thursday February 4 until Saturday 6.

Names on the line-up include Great British Menu star, Mark Froydenlund, local food hero, Simon Rogan, and Clare Smyth MBE, chef patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and the first female British chef to hold three Michelin stars.

Tickets for one night, hosted and sponsored by Clarence House Country Hotel and Restaurant in Dalton, cost £100 each.

This includes a six-course tasting menu supplied by three different chefs, champagne and canapes on arrival and entertainment during the evening. To book tickets, call Sarah on 01229 870168.

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