The much-vaunted charity cook-off Too Many Critics is returning for its 25th anniversary on June 15 this year. Held in partnership with OpenTable, the night is to be hosted by Claridge’s, at its acclaimed restaurant Dante.
The evening sees restaurant critics and food writers leave their keyboards and head for the stoves as, in a reversal of the usual order, they cook for both the public and a panel of star judges.
Established by industry titans Bill Knott and the late Standard columnist Charles Campion, the evening is put on each year to support Action Against Hunger, a humanitarian organisation that helps to feed those in need.
Hosted by Great British Menu star Andi Oliver, the evening will see critics including the Standard’s David Ellis, Tom Parker Bowles (Daily Mail), Hannah Crosbie (The Observer), Hannah Twiggs (Independent) and Adam Hyman (CODE and The Good Food Guide) cooking, as well as Matthew Fort (Fort on Food), who was part of the original line-up a quarter of a century ago. Fort, formerly a judge on Great British Menu, is also known for his long tenure as food and drink editor at The Guardian.
Cooking a multi-course menu, the critics will then present their dishes to the attending public as well as chefs including Elliott Grover — who each year cooks for the Oscars — as well as Nigel Haworth and Hoppers founder Karan Gokani.
The menu will reflect the dishes at Dante, though exact details will be kept firmly under wraps until the night. Dante, one of New York’s most celebrated hotspots, has been a roaring success since it opened in Claridge’s last summer.
Later in the evening will be a charity auction promising money-can’t-buy hospitality experiences.
The event will be supported by long-time partners Champagne Tattinger and Liberty Wines, and this year, Too Many Critics will also be sponsored by OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech, and Square.
Last year’s event raised more than £130,000 for Action Against Hunger, supporting its work providing food, water, and other lifesaving equipment to people in more than 50 countries. The charity is one of the world’s leading organisations working to stop life-threatening hunger across the globe.
The charity supports more than 28 million people every year and also works with local partners to address the root causes of hunger, supporting community-led food and wellbeing hubs, school food initiatives, and research to shape long-term solutions.
The tickets for this year’s event are £275 per person, which buys a meal with matching wines from Liberty Wines, as well as a Taittinger Champagne reception with canapes. Tickets are on sale now via OpenTable Experiences.
June 15, Claridge’s, Brook Street, W1K 4HR; maybourne.com
For more information about Too Many Critics, visit actionagainsthunger.org.uk
