Today’s Special will be streamed live on Zoom on 1 July and will be co-hosted by Andi Oliver and Oliver Peyton.
The 'live' auction will be run by auctioneer Tom Best, offering the public the chance to bid for money-can’t-buy experiences from the likes of Angela Hartnett and Michel Roux Jr.
Restaurant groups including Hawksmoor, St. John, Dishoom, Franco Manca and Pho will also be offering experiences.
The money raised from Today’s Special - which is being spearheaded by Hawksmoor co-founder Huw Gott, Pho marketing director Libby Andrews and social purpose agency Purpose Union - will be split between Action Against Hunger and Hospitality Action.
Prizes include a bespoke celebratory cake by Lily Vanilli, baker to Elton John and Lady Gaga; and a jerk-spiced fried chicken street party catered by James Cochran with beer provided by Forest Road Brewery’s Tactical Beer Response Unit (for that postponed summer party).
There will also be a series of ‘virtual’ and in-person cookery sessions, such as private Zoom masterclasses for a group of friends with top chefs Michel Roux Jr, Angela Hartnett, Shuko Oda, Ching He Huang and Sabrina Ghayour, and pastry chefs such as Helen Goh (Ottolenghi) and master sourdough baker Adam Sellar (Angel Bakery).
The event will begin at 8pm on July 1. 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.
Through the two auctions and the ticket sales, Today’s Special is aiming to raise at least £50,000 for Action Against Hunger and Hospitality Action.
“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, continue to support those most in need and hospitality’s most vulnerable, whose struggles have become even more acute since the pandemic started," says Gott.
"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."
Tickets are available from Eventbrite and details about the auction can be found here.
