Too Many Critics charity event raises £143,000

Held earlier this week at London restaurant Darby’s in Nine Elms, the event saw prominent critics including Tom Parker Bowles (Mail on Sunday), Leyla Kazim (MasterChef​), Giles Coren (The Times​), David Ellis (The Standard​), Hannah Twiggs (Independent​), and Kate Krader (Bloomberg​) prepare a three-course meal for guests.

The critics-turned-chefs-for-the-night were required to demonstrate their skills in shucking, baking and smoking while under the watchful eyes of judges Francesco Mazzei, Vivek Singh, Jason Atherton, Richard Corrigan and Robin Gill, who declared Krader the night’s winner thanks to her dish of roasted allium and new season fricassee.

Exclusive prizes up for grabs in a silent auction held after the meal included a four-course meal at the Cinnamon Club hosted by Vivek Singh; a private dinner for 12 at Kolae with chefs Andy Oliver and Mark Dobbie; an overnight stay with a private dining party at The Princess Royal pub and hotel in Notting Hill; and the chance to join the The Standard​’s food critic Jimi Famurewa on a restaurant review.

“We are immensely thankful to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Too Many Critics event such a tremendous success,” says Jean-Michel Grand, Action Against Hunger UK’s executive director.

“Over 735 million people globally don't have enough food to eat, and the thousands of pounds raised will significantly support our efforts to combat global malnutrition, in communities where life-threatening hunger is fuelled by conflict, climate change and inequality.”

Too Many Critics was founded by food writer Bill Knott.