Jay Rayner and Ravinder Bhogal team up for charity

On 8th October, Chef Patron, Ravinder Bhogal (previously of Michelin-starred Trishna, Le Café Anglais and Mark Hix), and renowned food critic Jay Rayner will join forces to create a feast in aid of Action Against Hunger’s Love Food Give Food campaign.

‘The Cook & The Critic’ event will take place at Ravinder’s restaurant, Jikoni, in Marylebone, and will also mark the venue’s first birthday. Rayner will swap his pen for a pan as he goes from dining room to kitchen to help cook the 6-course meal of special dishes created by Ravinder especially for the day. Guests will have the opportunity to effectively turn the tables on Rayner as he prepares and serves both lunch and dinner with the Jikoni team.

The meal will feature dishes that reflect Bhogal’s distinctive cooking style, drawing on her heritage and travels with flavours from Britain, East Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Guests will be treated to a glass of Pol Roger Brut Reserve champagne upon arrival, before taking their seats. The menu will include delights such as Duck and Pistachio dumplings and Tahini Parfait, Honeyed Quince and Pistachio Crisp.

Bhogal comments,

“As someone who works in an industry where food is about pleasure and enjoyment, I feel hunger is the most compelling issue and we as food professionals have a duty to respond to it in any way we can. To think there are children in the world who go hungry when we eat the way we do is unconscionable. I am honoured to be able to mark our first successful year at Jikoni by supporting Action Against Hunger’s Love Food Give Food Campaign.”

Rayner adds, “In the years that I have been friends with Ravinder I have watched her grow from a fabulous amateur cook to a brilliant professional, with an utterly unique and delicious style. It is both an honour and slightly terrifying to be working alongside her in aide of such a brilliant cause.

Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian organisation committed to saving the lives of malnourished children and provide impoverished communities with food and water. Last year, the charity provided vital aid to 14.9 million people in countries worldwide including Syria, Nepal, Haiti, Nigeria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.

Donation costs for ‘The Cook & The Critic’ tickets are £85 with an added booking fee, and are available here.