Charity chefs take over pub kitchen

Aspiring chefs are being given the chance to feel the heat of running their own kitchen, as well as raise funds for good causes, by a Kent pub.

The Stile Bridge in Marden is hosting a monthly charity dinner - each with a local 'celebrity' chef running the show.

Owners Matthew Rudd and Emma Cole are finding no shortage of budding Gordon Ramsay's keen for the chance to put the pub's kitchen team to work.

The first to try his hand as 48-year old Keith Shireby, a City broker who raised cash for the Special Care Baby Unit at Pembury Hospital.

Keith said: "I've always enjoyed cooking but had never cooked for more than about 15 people before. I thought it would be a challenge to cook for 40 - but we thought it would be better to donate the proceeds to charity, just in case things went wrong!"

The Stile Bridge kitchen staff assisted in the preparation and cooking of Keith's spicy five-course Thai meal - as well as sourcing the ingredients - but most of the hard work was down to Keith himself.

The evening raised more than £250 for Keith's chosen charity. He said: "It was hard work but great fun. However, I won't be giving up the day job just yet".

Diners were invited to complete a questionnaire judging the event on the originality of the menu, quality of food and its presentation and overall impression. At the end of the year, a prize will be awarded to the chef voted most competent.

Matthew Rudd said: "In the aftermath of Hell's Kitchen​, there are quite a few people out there who would like to try their hand at cooking in a restaurant environment - so we thought we would help them fulfil their ambitions."