Five-star dining to help raise funds for charity

NEWCASTLE'S only Michelin-starred chef will be joining forces with local Children’s charity Smile For Life, cooking up a huge luxury feast supporting young people with learning disabilities.

- EMILY GRAY Reporter [e-mail]

Patron of the charity Kenny Atkinson, who owns Michelin-starred House of Tides and Solstice in Newcastle, will be hosting the fundraiser at ‘Cafe Beam @ Ouseburn Farm’ next month. All proceeds from the evening will go to Smile For Life Children’s Charity.

He will be joined by staff from Cafe Beam - all of whom have disabilities or learning difficulties - cooking and serving a luxury five-course meal for around 60 people at the special event taking place on May 22.

Ahead of the special evening, The Journal caught up with chef Kenny as he scoped out Cafe Beam’s kitchen and spoke to some of the young people. Although keeping the full menu under wraps, guests can expect to enjoy lamb, truffles and popcorn ice cream.

Explaining the importance of the fundraiser, Kenny said: “We're going to be raising money and giving the young people an insight and sense of what goes on in our restaurant by creating a Special tasting menu. This is our first time having such an event.