Charity event raises £143k to fight global hunger

The 17th edition of the Too Many Critics charity fundraising event took place on Tuesday (25 June), seeing food writers and critics swap their pens for aprons to raise money for Action Against Hunger. 

Held at the Manhattan-inspired Darby's restaurant in Nine Elms, this year's event brought critics, chefs, food lovers and donors together to raise vital funds to fight global hunger, generating a record-breaking £143,012 for the food-focused charity. 

Too Many Critics

Founded by food writer Bill Knott, the event featured prominent critics including Tom Parker Bowles (Mail on Sunday), Leyla Kazim (MasterChef), Giles Coren (The Times), David Ellis (Evening Standard), Hannah Twiggs (Independent) and Kate Krader (Bloomberg), while the evening's entertainment was guided by host, Joe Warwick. 

The critics-turned-chefs for the night prepared a three-course meal for guests, demonstrating their skills in shucking, baking and smoking – all signature techniques at Darby's. The critics were also cooking under the watchful eye of judges Francesco Mazzei, Vivek Singh, Jason Atherton, Richard Corrigan and Robin Gill. Kate Krader was declared the night's winner, thanks to her chosen dish of roasted allium and new season fricassèe. 

Exclusive prizes were up for grabs in a silent auction, including a four-course meal at the Cinnamon Club, hosted by Vivek Singh, a private dinner for 12 at Kolae with chefs Andi 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 Evening Standard's food critic Jimi Famurewa on a restaurant review. 

A post-dessert auction featured further prizes such as a day in the kitchen with Darby's head chef Robin Gill and a luxurious trip for two to Dubai courtesy of the Tashas team, including five-star accommodation and dining experiences at a number of their sites. 

Jean-Michel Grand, executive director at Action Against Hunger, says of the event's success: "We are immensely thankful to everyone who contributed to making this year's Too Many Critics event such a tremendous success. 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."

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