Lake District Hotels’, Kitchen Rivals Dinner Dishes Up Over £23,000 for Local Charities

After a highly anticipated return, the Kitchen Rivals Charity Dinner proved to be a resounding success, raising an impressive £17,310 for three local charities: Keswick Youth Services, Cumbria Community Foundation, and Carlisle Youth Zone. To top it off, Cumbria Community Foundation's portion was match-funded, pushing the grand total to an incredible £23,080!

Held at the scenic Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa, the event saw two local companies face off in a spirited culinary showdown. The Green Team, represented by law firm Knights, competed against the Red Team from Armstrong Watson, an accountancy and business advisory firm. Each team prepared a three-course meal for 90 VIP guests, with eight members per team putting aside their usual roles to showcase their culinary talents in a fun and competitive environment.

Guests were invited to pay what they felt the meal was worth, and the team that raised the highest amount was crowned the winner. This year, the Red Team, led by Head Chef Bobby from The Skiddaw Hotel, emerged victorious.

The evening was a true celebration of community spirit and generosity, with all proceeds benefiting three local charities, each playing a crucial role in improving the lives of young people in the region:

● Keswick Youth Services provides vital support for young people in the Keswick area, helping to foster a positive environment where youth can thrive and contribute to their community.

● Carlisle Youth Zone offers a safe space for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with activities that help them develop essential skills and build confidence.

● Cumbria Community Foundation is an award-winning charity that supports local communities through financial grants to address needs in areas such as health, education, and social inclusion.

The event also featured an exciting auction, led by professional auctioneer Colin from Auction House Cumbria, and a raffle filled with high-value prizes, including:

● Sealy Beds Imperial King Size Mattress and Divan

● Weekend stay at The Fernery at Lingholm Estate

● 2 tickets to Manchester Utd

● 2 tickets to England VS India test match

● £200 Voucher for Spice at The Gilpin

● Cumbria Legendary Ales and Kirkstile Inn Voucher (£30)

● Meal for 2 at Fellpark, Keswick

● Ten Lakes Spectacular Tour with Mountain Goat Tours

● Exclusive signed and framed photograph of CUFC 2024 squad

● £200 Amazon Voucher

● £250 Ishga Spa Products Voucher

● Overnight Stay at The Trout Hotel, Cockermouth

● 12-Mile Themed Helicopter Flight

These generous contributions, along with numerous other raffle prizes, helped further boost the total raised for these worthy causes.

“Lake District Hotels have been proud to host Kitchen Rivals since it began in 2016, and with this being the fifth event, we’ve really been able to build on our experience to make it a great success.” said Dani Hope Director of Lake District Hotels. “This year, we’ve raised a record amount, with a third going to Keswick Youth Centre Services, our charity of the year. Knowing this will help them bring in another supervisor to support young people in our community is something we’re incredibly proud of. A huge thank you to everyone who supported us – your generosity will make a lasting difference to the Keswick community