A chef at a Chester restaurant will join a group of the North’s finest restaurateurs, chefs and hospitality industry experts as they face one of their biggest challenges outside the kitchen to date.
Co-owner and chef at The Chef’s Table Liam McKay is volunteering to trek through the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia this October.
The team hopes to raise more than £100,000 for Action Against Hunger.
The group will cover 80km of rocky trails and steep escarpments over four days, at altitudes of up to 4,400m.
Team members will be organising a number of fundraising activities throughout the summer, both personally and through their businesses, to raise funds towards the team’s challenge target.
The funds raised will go toward Action Against Hunger’s work to provide malnourished children with healthier futures in countries including Ethiopia, South Sudan, Nigeria, Nepal and Somalia.
Head of communications at Action Against Hunger, Christine Kahmann, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have the Ethiopia Trek Team on board, who have all been extremely vocal and enthusiastic about the challenge ahead and we’re confident we’ll not only achieve the fundraising target set, but will beat it!”
Liam said: “Since opening Chef’s Table two years ago my life has revolved round work, meaning my fitness – amongst many other things! – has taken a back seat, so I’m really looking forward to getting back into training and to raising money and awareness to help families in need. I have two kids and I can’t imagine not being able to give them clean water and food to survive – it really makes you realise how lucky we are.”
Other members of the team include:
Adam Tomlinson, manager of Sticky Walnut in Hoole
Paddy Smith, co-owner of Red and Blue Restaurants
Steven Burgess, chef owner of catering company Rhubarb & Custard
Tomas Maunier, sales and marketing director at Fazenda restaurants
Vince Margiotta, owner of hospitality consultancy business Vmar Ltd and Vincenzo’s Italian restaurant launching in Liverpool in September
Andrew Nutter, chef owner of Nutters and the Bird at Birtle
Daisy Whitehouse, managing director of Down at the Social
Frances Atkins, chef and co-owner of The Yorke Arms
Jobe Ferguson, co-owner of Black Dog Ballroom
The Liars Club Group and TNQ Restaurant and Bar
Jon Kirby, director at Beautiful Drinks, the company behind Almost Famous
Lisa Allen, executive head chef at Northcote
Mary-Ellen McTague, chef owner of former Aumbry restaurant
Ross Mackenzie, co-owner of Black Dog Ballroom and The Liars Club Group
Ruth Allan, food critic and editor of Manchester Wire