The heat is on. Kitchen Inferno is back. Celebrity Chef John Torode will host the 2015 charity event at the Hotel De France on Friday November 27th which will once again see two teams of novice chefs (who have a wide range of cooking abilities) go head-to-head in the kitchen under the direction of three local top chefs. The Freedom Media event, launched today, has a brand new format. It promises to be bigger and even tougher than before.
John Torode said: “I am really looking forward to visiting the island for the first time and being part of Kitchen Inferno 2015, raising money for Jersey Cheshire Home. Cooking a fine dining menu for 120 guests is a serious challenge for these novice chefs! It will be fantastic to host this event and most importantly for a foodie like me to try the local produce of course!”
Le Masurier, the headline sponsor, have kindly made it possible for John Torode to come to Jersey to host Kitchen Inferno.
Brian McCarthy, Managing Director, Le Masurier Ltd said: “This is the third consecutive year that Le Masurier have supported Kitchen Inferno, which is a truly exciting experience bringing together an eclectic mix of individuals from all walks of island life, raising money for Jersey Cheshire Home, which performs an outstanding service to our community.”
John Torode. Photo: Yuki Sugiura
“I am really looking forward to visiting the island for the first time and being part of Kitchen Inferno 2015, raising money for Jersey Cheshire Home. Cooking a fine dining menu for 120 guests is a serious challenge for these novice chefs! It will be fantastic to host this event and most importantly for a foodie like me to try the local produce of course!” John Torode
The teams will have training sessions over the next 6 weeks with each of the local chefs who have designed the menu. Head Chef at Sumas, Chef Patrice Bouffaut, will train the teams on the starters, Chef David Cameron on main courses and award winning Chef Kundeti from Saffrons at the Hotel De France will train the teams on desserts. They have high expectations.
They commented: “We’re looking forward to seeing how the teams will handle the pressure. We hope there won’t be too many tears or tantrums, but you never know how people are going to react when they are this far out of their comfort zone! We are certainly raising the bar this year, whilst raising money for a great cause.”
The Red Team, sponsored by Camerons, and the Blue Team, sponsored by First Names Group, will be under more pressure than ever before. But the team leaders seem unfazed (at this stage) about the task at hand.
The Blue Team Leader Matt Haynes, Group Business Development Director at First Names Group is feeling confident about taking the title: “When I was asked to lead the Blue Team I jumped at the opportunity! I can’t wait to get involved and raise money for such a fantastic charity. I am really looking forward to working with my team and brushing up on my culinary skills with the help of such talented local chefs. Last year, our CEO Cengiz and his team narrowly missed out and I hope to settle the score this year!”
The Red Team is also in it to win it. Marc Burton, Managing Director at Camerons is the Team Leader: “Having been involved with the Jersey Cheshire Home for a number of years, I am very excited to take on this unique challenge, along with Peter, on behalf of Camerons. We are a pretty competitive bunch and we hope that it will be an amazing experience for all the right reasons, as well as raising lots of money for the Home.”
Once again local sponsors have been hugely generous in supporting this event. Cimandis, Fungi Delecti and The Fresh Fish Company are kindly donating the ingredients that the contestants will use to produce the complex dishes. Highlands Culinary Arts students are also supporting the event again, both in the kitchen on team and front of house, serving guests.
To date, Kitchen Inferno has raised more than £24,000 for Jersey Cheshire Home, which looks after physically disabled adults. The Home relies on donations and public fundraising efforts to enable their residents to lead full and independent lives and to provide access to activities and events that others may take for granted. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Home’s hydrotherapy pool refurbishment.
David Lord, General Manager of Jersey Cheshire Home: “After 3 years Kitchen Inferno is now firmly established as an important part of our annual fundraising and we’re privileged to be a part of it, plus it’s an awful lot of fun!”
The line up this year is as follows:
Team Red – Camerons Team:
1. Marc Burton (Camerons)
2. Peter Lawrence (Camerons)
3. Murray Norton (Politician)
4. Rob Duhamel (The Maths Centre)
5. Marie Raine (Channel 103FM)
6. Lucy Stephenson (JEP)
7. Colin Macleod (Co-op)
8. Lesley Harrison (Prison! Me! No Way!!!)
9. David Warr (Coopers Coffee)
10. Clare Burton (BBC Jersey)
11. Sean Le Scelleur (Bank Leumi)
Team Blue – First Names Group Team:
1. Matt Haynes (First Names Group)
2. Rachael Horsthuis (First Names Group)
3. Tim Bond (Freedom Church)
4. Ben Davies (Gallery Magazine)
5. Jo Ferbrache (Cimandis)
6. Brian Constantine (ITV Channel Television)
7. Derrick Bracken (Franck Muller)
8. Nick Payne (A&E)
9. Charlie McArdle (BBC Radio Jersey)
10. Glenda Rivoallan (Healthhaus)
11. Margaret Thompson (Thompson Estates)
This event usually sells out straight away. Tickets are £120 per head. To register interest in tickets please email tickets@kitcheninferno.com
