Leeds Foodie

Northern chefs put on their walking boots for charity

A group of the North’s finest chefs, industry experts, and restaurateurs are preparing to take on a huge challenge: trekking through the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia this October in a bid to raise over £100,000 for Action Against Hunger, an organisation committed to ending child hunger.

The team comprises of Adam Tomlinson, Manager of Sticky Walnut, 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 one of our favourites in Yorkshire, The Yorke Arms, Jobe Ferguson, Co-owner of Black Dog Ballroom, The Liars Club Group and TNQ Restaurant and Bar, Jon Kirby, Owner of Beautiful Drinks, Liam McKay, Executive Chef at The Chef’s Table, Lisa Allen, Executive Head Chef at Northcote, Mary-Ellen McTague, Chef Owner of former Aumbry restaurant, Paddy Smith, Co-owner of Red and Blue Restaurants, Ross Mackenzie, Co-owner of Black Dog Ballroom and The Liars Club Group, Ruth Allan, Food Critic and editor of Manchester Wire, Steven Burgess, Chef Owner of catering company Rhubarb & Custard, Tomas Maunier, Sales and Marketing Director at Fazenda restaurants and Vince Margiotta, Owner of Vincenzo’s Italian restaurant, launching in Liverpool in September, and hospitality consultancy business Vmar Ltd.

The trek will cover 80km of difficult terrain and will take over four days, covering altitudes of up to 4400m. For many of those taking part, this will be their first physical challenge of such a magnitude.

Keep an eye out for fund-raising events this summer from many of those taking part and we wish them all the very best of luck!