Final Distinguished food tasting event to be held in aid of Headway Cambridgeshire

Experienced chef Jamie Mountford enjoys fundraising in his spare time and so far has raised just under £5000 for Headway Cambridge, a charity that supports people who have suffered brain injuries

The recently appointed head chef at the Bedford Lodge Hotel has organised two events previously – where people pay to come and eat and the proceeds go to the organisation. This, the third, will also be the last.

Taking place at The Shed in Lode on Saturday, May 26, 100 people will be able to come and enjoy a six-course meal for £20 per person.

Jamie has had a lot of support from sponsors and local people willing to help on the night, along with help putting the menu together from some great talent.

Graham Mitchell, a Scottish chef, will be travelling from Aberdeen to help in the kitchen, while Matei Baran will be coming down from Newcastle. Further culinary assistance comes from Sci Daniels and Nolfolk celebrity chef, Charlie Hodson.

For the first time, there will also be live music laid on for the diners – a jazz trio booked for after the meal. Julian Clover from Cambridge 105, Steffi Callister, who used to work for SKY, and Charlie Hodson will be hosting.

Jamie explained why the charity means so much to him: “Basically, my father died. He went to Headway because he had a stroke and basically lost all motivation until he went to Headway.”

He continued: “I was sat in a pub one night where the landlord asked me to do a specialised night, so I said ‘Yes, but I’m doing it for charity’. I made loads of phone calls to contacts within the area who could sponsor it and help me with it.”

The first event was for 42 people at The White Swan in Quy, while the second served 64 people at The Black Horse in Swaffham Bulbeck. “The third one, which is going to be the final one because it’s quite stressful, is just massive,” noted Jamie.

“It’s a set menu and I’ve said I’ll do 100 people so, as it’s a six-course menu, I’ve got to do 600 plates of food in a kitchen I’ve never worked in before with a team that I’ve never worked with before.

“It’s one big buzz, really. It’s a £20, non-refundable deposit and then you can give a donation on the night in an envelope.”

He added: “It’s not just about the food, I want it to be about the charity and local people – because it’s all local restaurants and businesses that have sponsored us who I’ve known through being a chef for the past 16 years.

“The unique selling point of the whole event is that it’s a local charity with local people involved.”

For more information, contact Jamie Mountford on 07535614392 or jamie.mount@icloud.com.