Two Lake District chefs will join forces to raise funds for a project which supports hospitality workers.
Jack Bond, chef-owner of the Michelin-starred Cottage in the Wood in Whinlatter, near Keswick, and Mark McCabe, head chef of three AA rosette Henrock by Simon Rogan at Linthwaite House, Bowness, will be cooking in support of the Burnt Chef Project in Cumbria at Kendal College on Wednesday April 29.
The chefs, working alongside students from Kendal College’s Hospitality School and private dining company Savvy by Nick Hall, will create a six-course menu for the 50 guests.
Students and Nick will craft the welcome drink, pre-dinner snacks and the bread course, while Jack and Mark will create the starter, fish course, main course, and desserts.
The Burnt Chef Project was founded in May 2019 by Kris Hall, a former hospitality supplier, with the goal of eradicating mental health stigma across the UK’s hospitality industry.
Having spent nine years in the sector, Kris witnessed the toll of long, antisocial hours, high-pressure working conditions, staff shortages, and widespread addiction issues among colleagues.
Driven by this experience, he created a platform for hospitality workers to openly discuss mental health and access peer and employer support, helping to remove the stigma of mental health from within the hospitality industry.
Inspired by Kris’s work, local private chef and educator Nick enrolled as a Burnt Chef Project ambassador and quickly became the chief ambassador for Cumbria.
Nick is driven by a determination to raise awareness of mental health issues among those working in the county’s hospitality industry, challenges made all the harder by the region’s rural isolation.
The evening aims to raise funds to help the Burnt Chef Project continue to deliver free support to those who work in the hospitality industry, including a 24/7 helpline, face-to-face support, and help people work through challenges, whether it’s an in-the-moment crisis, ongoing stress, relationship worries, or practical issues like legal or financial advice.
Jack said: “The Burnt Chef Project does genuinely vital work, and it’s something I feel very passionate about, particularly here in Cumbria.
“When you’re working in a rural area, the isolation can be immense; you don’t have the same networks or nearby support structures that chefs in cities might take for granted.
“It can feel incredibly lonely, and that silence around mental health makes everything harder. I felt I wanted to do something to help raise awareness so that those people who are struggling in silence know they have somewhere to turn to for help and support. This dinner is a small but meaningful way to make a real difference.”
Mark added: “Mental health in hospitality has been brushed under the carpet for too long. The hours, the pressure, the culture of just getting on with it. It takes a toll, and we all know it.
“What the Burnt Chef Project has built is something genuinely special: a space where people in our industry can reach out without shame or fear of judgement.
“Coming together and cooking alongside Jack, Nick and the students at Kendal College felt like a no-brainer to help raise funds to help Burnt Chef reach even more people.
“In rural communities especially, where you might be the only chef for miles around, knowing there’s a helpline or someone who understands what this industry does to you can be the difference that matters most.”
Nick added: “The Burnt Chef Project started in the UK and has grown to become an international charity. It has quickly become a leading voice in promoting wellbeing across all sectors of the hospitality industry.
“Cumbria is home to some of the finest ingredients, restaurants, chefs and hospitality businesses, and the upcoming fundraising dinner will bring together current chefs, the energetic and enthusiastic next generation of hospitality staff and local communities for an evening of exceptional food and meaningful conversation.
“I aim to spark open dialogue around mental health, highlight the importance of early intervention and strengthen our support networks. This dinner represents a powerful step forward in addressing mental health awareness in Cumbria and reinforcing the message that seeking support is a sign of strength.’’
