Top chefs team up with UCB for Bocuse d'Or fundraising dinner

Top chefs from Birmingham have teamed up with staff from the University College Birmingham (UCB) for a special dinner to raise money for the UK's representative at the Bocuse d'Or 2013.

The Bocuse d'Or is the prestigious culinary competition held in Lyon every two years and next January, the UK will be represented by Adam Bennett, head chef at Simpson's Edgbaston.

The Bocuse d'Or fundraising dinner, sponsored by Ruinart Champagne, will take place in the UCB's Atrium restaurant on 23 November. Dinner will be prepared Bennett as well as Brian Turner CBE, Aktar Islam, Andy Waters and the UCB culinary team.

Tickets are priced £1,200 per table, with all profits from ticket sales and an auction going towards supporting Team UK in its preparations for the Bocuse d'Or final in January 2013 and beyond.

Brian Turner, president of the Academy of Culinary Arts and Team UK, commented: "Our success at the European finals in Brussels demonstrates Adam's culinary skills and his ability to perform at the level required in this prestigious competition.

"However, as we've learned in the past, the standards rise significantly in the world final and we have to do everything possible to help Adam and (commis chef) Kristian Curtis raise their game. By purchasing tickets for the event, donating and bidding for prizes you will be helping towards the success of Team UK in 2013."

The University College dinner will be the third Bocuse d'Or fundraiser this year, following an Academy of Culinary Arts dinner at the RAC club in October, which raised almost £10,000 and a Restaurant Associates dinner at the Birmingham offices of KPMG on 6 November.

To book a table contact Gill Archer [G.Archer@ucb.ac.uk](mailto: G.Archer@ucb.ac.uk).

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