£80,000 raised at The Big Event!

The hospitality industry was out in force on Monday February 27th to celebrate the work of Hospitality Action and The Springboard Charity at The Big Event 2012. The official gala dinner of Hotelympia 2012 took place at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and raised an incredible £80,000 which will be shared between both charities.
 
Over 850 guests were greeted with a cocktail, ale and canapé reception followed by a sumptuous meal, which included a John Campbell crafted pressed terrine of truffled white beans, savoy cabbage and wild mushroom starter sponsored by BaxterStorey. For the main course, guests enjoyed a Confit pork belly with parsley root purée dish courtesy of Pollen Street Social’s Jason Atherton and kindly sponsored by Compass Group. The delicious black forest entremets dessert was created by award winning chocolatier William Curley, sponsored by Elior UK, and was followed by a fine assortment of petit fours by Town and Country Fine Foods. A selection of fine cheeses from Bel UK and Milk Link rounded off the evening’s culinary delights.
 
Speaking post event, Penny Moore, CEO, Hospitality Action commented, “What an amazing evening! It’s fantastic to see the whole industry out in support of Hospitality Action and The Springboard Charity. A huge thank you to everyone who lent their support by providing food, services, goods and auction prizes. It is thanks to their outstanding efforts that we will be able to continue supporting the many people in need across our industry.”
 
Anne Pierce, CEO, TheSpringboard Charity expressed: “I am so grateful to all those involved for helping to make The Big Event such a triumph! The extraordinary generosity shown this evening will enable both charities to carry on changing people’s lives. In particular I’d like to thank BaxterStorey, Compass Group and Elior UK also Fresh Montgomery, Jellybean Creative Solutions, William Murray Communications, DRP Group, Heiko Figge and Guoman & Thistle Hotels for their outstanding support.”
 
Funds raised will go towards helping young, unemployed and disadvantaged people improve their prospects for economic well-being by channelling them into sustainable employment opportunities within the sector. The money will also go towards thosewho have worked or are working in the hospitality industry in their times of crisis.
 
The gripping charity auction, hosted by celebrity chef Brian Turner, raised an amazing £23,000, with bidders competing for twelve exclusive lots, including a masterclass for six people from Reggae Reggae sauce creator Levi Roots, courtesy of by AB World Foods, an exhilarating VIP day with the Red Arrows courtesy of the Royal Air Force and a fantastic private dining experience for ten people at Luke’s Dining Room courtesy of Sanctum on The Green and chef Luke Thomas.
 
Throughout the evening guests were kept in good humour by top impressionist and comic icon Rory Bremner, wowed by a spectacular version of one of the most successful West End theatre shows of all time and played out to music by the seven-piece Chance Band.
 
For further information about The Big Event and to learn more about the work of Hospitality Action and The Springboard Charity visit: http://thebigevent.uk.net/