Michel Roux OBE and Alain Roux recently opened the doors of the world-renowned The Waterside Inn to welcome guests for an exclusive and prestigious dinner in aid of the Royal Academy of Culinary Art’s Adopt a School Trust.
This unique dinner, featuring a brigade of some of the world’s most prestigious chefs provided an unrivalled experience with a world-class five course menu.
- Ricotta and goats’ cheese agnolotti with basil and tomato essence, prepared by Raymond Blanc OBE and Gary Jones.
- Crab sausage roll with brown crab ‘ketchup’ and pickled cucumber with dill, prepared by Mark Sargeant.
- Steamed fillet of sea bass with tartare olive oil hollandaise and steamed young leeks, prepared by Nathan Outlaw.
- Roasted loin of lamb stuffed with cep mushrooms, boulangère gratin and garden savoury scented jus, prepared by Alain Roux and Fabrice Uhryn.
- Amedei chocolate and praline delice with citrus compote with orange and yoghurt ice-cream, prepared by William Curley MCA.
The evening, MCed by chef Brian Turner CBE, was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and witness the impact the Adopt a School Programme has on children’s lives.
Chef Thomas Marriage, now seventeen years old, who received Adopt a School sessions from Gary Jones when he was at Chalgrove Primary School was so inspired by the programme, he trained to become a chef; eight years later, he has now become Commis Chef Apprentice at Le Manoir and was cooking alongside Gary at the dinner.
Tom reflected on his experiences of the programme that evening: “if it wasn’t for Adopt a School, I wouldn’t be here…I thank the programme for where I am now… Adopt a School has changed my life…every child needs to be a part of this programme.”
Chef Simon Boyle, founder of social enterprise and restaurant Beyond Food & Brigade, also spoke about Adopt a School’s impact on children at Great Ormond Street Hospital School, where he has delivered Adopt a School sessions for 15 years.
Boyle said: “What I take most from Adopt a School is the power that food has to transform children’s lives through health, raising aspirations, providing a new career path, and giving them an enjoyable activity, which takes them away from their day-to-day lives.”
Boyle is one of eleven chefs who generously volunteer their time to deliver practical cooking sessions to children attending the hospital school in central London.
Sara Jayne Stanes OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and Adopt a SchoolSara Jayne Stanes OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and Adopt a School said: “Food education is key to giving young people the knowledge, practical skills and ability to be responsible for their wellbeing and to adopt a healthier lifestyle through informed choice. This is why programmes like Adopt a School are so important.”
The evening raised a record number of funds for the Adopt a School Trust, partly raised through an auction of exclusive prizes, expertly auctioneered by Brian Turner.
Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and Adopt a School offered their thanks to Michel Roux OBE and Alain Roux, and all that took part without whose incredible generosity and hospitality this dinner would never have happened.
Royal Academy of Culinary Arts
53 Cavendish Road
London SW12 0BL
020 8673 6300
info@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk