Chefs, restaurants, cafés and pubs come together for online charity auction

Chefs, restaurants, cafés and pubs from around the UK have come together for an online charity auction to raise funds for Action Against Hunger and Hospitality Action.

On 1 July, prizes from the food and drink industry’s leading lights will be up for grabs via Today’s Special, which will be streamed live on Zoom, co-hosted by Andi Oliver and Oliver Peyton with a ‘live’ auction.

Lots will include a Sunday roast cooked in your home by Sally Abé, head chef of the Harwood Arms, London’s only Michelin-starred pub, or a jerk-spiced fried chicken street party catered by 12:51 chef James Cochran.

There will also be a series of ‘virtual’ and in-person cookery sessions, such as private Zoom masterclasses for a group of friends with chefs such as Michel Roux Jr, Angela Hartnett, Shuko Oda, Ching He Huang and Sabrina Ghayour, and pastry chefs such as Helen Goh (Ottolenghi), Anna Higham (Lyle’s and Flor) and master sourdough baker Adam Sellar (Angel Bakery).

Prospective bidders can buy a £5 ticket to the event, which will give access to the Zoom livestream and enable them to place bids on as many auctions as they like using a virtual paddle. Ticket holders will also be able to participate in a silent auction which will include more than 100 lots.

All the money raised from Today’s Special will be split between Action Against Hunger, which supports those at risk of hunger, and Hospitality Action, which supports hospitality workers hit hardest by the industry shutdown. Today’s Special is aiming to raise at least £50,000.

Restaurateur Oliver said: “These are such tough times for so many in our industry and projects like this one will help us to get to the other side. Supporting each other and coming together is the way forward and I am so pleased to be able to play my part. All proceeds go to Action Against Hunger and Hospitality Action, two inspired organisations working at the forefront of this crisis.”

Huw Gott, co-founder of Hawksmoor, added: “Restaurants, pubs and bars don’t just feed people, they nourish their souls and bring people and communities together. Hopefully Today’s Special can help two charities that are extremely close to our hearts, Action Against Hunger and Hospitality Action, to continue to support those most in need and hospitality’s most vulnerable, whose struggles have become even more acute since the pandemic started.

“I also hope it will celebrate the role and impending reopening of our industry: the neighbourhood restaurants, the incredible independents, the high-street favourites and the multi-starred greats as they struggle to their feet to welcome people once more.”

To buy a ticket to access the auction, click here.