A group of the North’s finest chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality industry experts have successfully completed their gruelling trek through Ethiopia, in a bid to raise vital funds for global humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger.
A tough and challenging trek, the group including Andrew Nutter, Chef Owner of Nutters and the Bird at Birtle, and Lisa Allen, Executive Chef at Northcote, covered 80km of rocky trails and steep escarpments over four days in Debre Libanos at altitudes of up to 3,400m. The toughest day saw the team trek for 13 hours on steep rocky terrain.
Lisa Allen said: “The trek was a truly eye-opening, life-changing experience and I think we’ve all come back transformed by this trip. It’s by far the hardest physical and mental challenge I’ve ever faced and I think the whole team feel humbled by the things we’ve seen and the people we’ve met along the way. The hard work doesn’t stop here, we want to continue to raise as much money as we can.”
Steven Burgess: “Our trip was harder than I think we ever imagined and to successfully complete the trek feels like an absolute achievement and something we can be very proud of. Action Against Hunger is such an important charity and the synergy between what we all do and what the charity does made this trip even more meaningful.”
Team members held a number of fundraising activities throughout the summer, and have plans to do a few more over the next few months to achieve their goal of raising £100,000. All funds raised will go towards Action Against Hunger’s work to provide malnourished children with healthier futures in countries including Ethiopia, Yemen, Nigeria, Nepal and South Sudan.
Christine Kahmann, Head of Communications at Action Against Hunger, said: “The Ethiopia Trek Team were absolutely incredible throughout the trip, we couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to go away with. They faced all challenges with a smile on their faces and have come back determined to raise even more funds for malnourished children. We’re really grateful to the team for their efforts and the funds they’ve raised will genuinely make a real difference.”
The complete Ethiopia Trek Team comprised of Adam Tomlinson, Manager of Sticky Walnut, Andrew Nutter, Chef Owner of Nutters and the Bird at Birtle, Daisy Whitehouse, Managing Director of Down at the Social, Frances Atkins, Chef and Co-owner of The Yorke Arms, Jobe Ferguson, Co- owner of Black Dog Ballroom, The Liars Club Group and TNQ Restaurant and Bar, Jon Kirby, Owner of Beautiful Drinks, Liam McKay, Executive Chef at The Chef’s Table, Lisa Allen, Executive Head Chef at Northcote, Mary-Ellen McTague, Chef Owner of former Aumbry restaurant, Paddy Smith, Co-owner of Red and Blue Restaurants, Ross Mackenzie, Co-owner of Black Dog Ballroom and The Liars Club Group, Ruth Allan, Food Critic and editor of Manchester Wire, Steven Burgess, Chef Owner of catering company Rhubarb & Custard, Tomas Maunier, Sales and Marketing Director at Fazenda restaurants and Vince Margiotta, Owner of Vincenzo’s Italian restaurant, launching in Liverpool in September, and hospitality consultancy business Vmar Ltd.
