Stars of restaurant and art world unite in support of Action Against Hunger campaign

16-Sep-2009 - Last updated on 23-May-2023 at 16:29 GMT

Left to right: Nigel Barden; AAH's executive director Jean-Michel Grand; Konstam chef-patron Oliver Rowe; singer Beth Orton and food writer Bill Knott

Musicians and artists rub shoulders with chefs and restaurateurs at the launch of Action Against Hunger's Figh Hunger/Eat Out campaign

Chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers and food writers joined forces with stars of the arts world at Konstam restaurant in London last night for the launch of the 12th Fight Hunger/Eat Out fundraising campaign.

Restaurants across the country are being asked to back the month-long campaign run by the charity Action Against Hunger, which aims to fight child hunger and malnutrition, in a number of ways, including asking diners to make a discretionary donation to their bill or donating a certain amount from a specific dish to the charity.

Host, Konstam chef-owner Oliver Rowe said: "It's easy to forget in a country where food is so abundant, how many children and families are suffering worldwide. Fight Hunger/Eat Out month is a subtle, small, but poignant way to help so many on a large scale."

The launch saw guests such as St John's Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver, Sanctum Soho owner Mark Fuller and Rowe rub shoulders with artist Georgina Starr and singer Beth Orton and hear from AAH's executive director Jean-Michel Grand on how the campaign can help malnourished children.

Grand urged restaurants not yet involved to lend their support and thanked those already doing so. He said: "The food industry should feel very proud of its involvement. We're not pretending that this is going to sort out hunger in the world, however, we are making a massive difference in hundreds of thousands of households in 46 countries."

More than 300 restaurants have pledged their support for the campaign so far, including Le Gavroche, Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons and Benares.

A host of events will be taking place during the month, including a fine wine auction and dinner. Artists Peter Blake, Tracey Emin, Sam Taylor-Wood, Georgina Starr and Bob & Roberta Smith have also created special artwork for the campaign that will be auctioned off at the National Restaurant Awards on October 12. Postcards of the works will be available to restaurants to give away to diners during the campaign.

Fight Hunger/Eat Out runs from October 1-31. For more information about how to get involved visit www.restaurantsagainsthunger.org.

Giorgio Locatelli talks about his reasons for backing the campaign here.