ONCE again the seemingly boundless generosity of the Furness community was clear to see during an annual celebrity chef event in Dalton.

For six years Lake District Farmers have rolled out the red carpet for some of the most talented chefs in the country. For six years the public have been wowed by the sublime skill shown by chefs such as Simon Rogan, Angela Hartnett and Jeff Galvin. And, for six years that public's generosity to donate to the Lake District Farmers Armstrong Charitable Fund has never wavered.

Established to carry on the legacy of philanthropist and businessman Ray Armstrong, the charitable fund has over the years handed out tens, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds those living in the most desperate of circumstances.

In order to carry on its noble work each year LDF invites culinary stars to the area, allowing them to ply their trade for two nights of fundraising.

The first event will take place over the weekend of February 9-10 at the Clarence House Country Hotel in Dalton. Last night (Friday 9) the stage was set for chefs Jeff Galvin, Phil Howard, and Tom Aikens to serve up what for many could be the meal of a life time.

Phil Howard, who took charge of the evening's starter and desert, said it was a pleasure working for a charity which was so beneficial for the local community.

"I'm a big fan of the charity," he said. "Some try to save the world and raise huge sums of money but I really like the fact that this is such a focused local charity.

"I get asked to do a lot of these things but you have to pick the work you feel strongly about. These guys (LDF) provide us with great meat throughout the year and I'm happy to give them back my support."

Fellow chef Jeff Galvin, who has cooked for LDF on four previous occasions, spoke of the special bond which has emerged as a result of the fundraiser.

He said: "It's a great cause but we also get to spend time with each other. Spending a night together there is great camaraderie. Half of the generation of chefs I learned from never spoke to each other.

"I like this venue. They run such a great and friendly hotel. When we go through there at 11.30pm a lot of the guys are ready to go and party."

The link between the chefs and the charity in Cumbria is kept strong throughout the year. Managing director of LDF, Dan Austin, sends regular updates to all the chefs involved on how the money raised through the event helps locals in need.

Just before the feast began Mr Austin addressed the crowd, paying tribute to their generosity but also to his friend and mentor, Ray Armstrong.

He said: "Ray is the man we do this for. The man we do it in memory of. He was adamant in seeing everything through. Everything he did was with perseverance, through thick and thin he always carried it through. That was just the type of man he was."

Mr Austin carried on, reminding the guests the £100 they had paid for a seat would always go to a family or individual in need. He recalled a woman who suffered from a terminal illness but still had to work to support her family. The LDF were able to provide financial support allowing her to spend her final months with friends and family, creating the best memories possible.

He continued: "When you pay £100 a ticket you allow us to go to people and say spend time with your family, create something that will never never be taken away. That is down to you."