Last updated at 17:24, Thursday, 17 January 2013

THE organisers of a major food festival next month have scored yet another huge coup after securing the support of highly decorated chef Marcus Wareing.

TALENTED: Chef Marcus Wareing.

Mr Wareing has offered to personally make the chocolates that will form part of the fifth and final course each night of the One Week Only charity fundraiser at Clarence House, Dalton.

The double Michelin-starred culinary master will use the skills that earned him the privilege of cooking for the Queen on her 80th birthday to delight local palates.

Lake District Farmers managing director Dan Austin travelled to London last week to meet Mr Wareing and ask if he could lend his support to the event.

“Marcus, due to prior commitments, can’t be here, but he had agreed to personally make all the chocolates for the final course each night, which is a coffee and a chocolate,” Mr Austin said.

“He is also going to be sending us six signed cookbooks (to be auctioned), so although he couldn’t be here, Marcus is supporting us in a massive way.”

The event will be held over five days from February 1 to raise money for the trust set up by respected businessman Ray Armstrong to help local charities.

Each night, diners will eat food cooked by some of the country’s very best chefs, including Angela Hartnett, Alyn Williams, Andy Cook and Nigel Haworth.

Mr Wareing has appeared on television in the Great British Menu and Masterchef and his London restaurant, Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, holds two Michelin stars.

Mr Austin said the ambitious event had captured the imaginations of some of the biggest names in the food industry.

He said: “Heston Blumenthal has also sent us six signed cookbooks, so to have these huge names supporting the event is amazing. We are really overwhelmed. We were previously getting in touch with the chefs, but now they are calling us.”

Mr Austin said organisers were delighted with the response from the public and only 30 tickets of the 500 issued remained unsold.

To buy a ticket call Sarah Earley on 01229 870168.

First published at 10:36, Thursday, 17 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk