Charity chefs night at the National Motor Museum raises thousands for Beaulieu’s Countryside Education Trust

THE New Forest’s top chefs took time out from their busy kitchens to help raise funds for a Beaulieu charity that aims to connect people to the countryside.

Chefs from The Montagu Arms, Lime Wood, Careys Manor, Balmer Lawn, and Hythe-based caterers, Taste, came together for the event at the National Motor Museum’s Brabazon Restaurant.

The event, which raised more than £3,000 for the Countryside Education Trust, saw two teams go head to head in a highly competitive cook-off.

Before that, each chef produced a signature dish that was then auctioned for the winning bidders to enjoy with a bottle of wine. A packed audience was also treated to some top culinary tips, and the evening finished with an auction of prizes donated by the supporting hotels.

Organiser Jan Hoy said: “We have been running Chefs Night for 27 years now and are hugely indebted to the hotels and their chefs - and our loyal audience - for their continuing generous support of this event.”

Jane Cooper, chief executive of the Coutryside Education Trust, said: “The funds raised ensure that the trust can continue to bring more children to stay at the Home Farm in these difficult times. We are enormously grateful to Jan Hoy, her amazing volunteers and the inspiring chefs, who gave their time to make the evening such a success.”