Top chefs raise £200,000 in aid of Action Against Hunger

Guests were greeted with a Champagne Taittinger reception at 1 Lombard Street and dinner was followed by an auction of 'once in a lifetime' experiences in association with Luxury Explorer. A staggering £200,000 was raised in a bid to turn wine into water for millions of vulnerable children worldwide. Each chef prepared a course for the dinner, including fillet of ling with cockles and sea vegetables, and Pistachio macaroon, chocolate ganache and caramelised quince. The highest bid of the evening was £8,000 for a banquet prepared by Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli for 16 guests in the winning bidder's home. Another guest successfully bid £7,500 to secure a field trip to Haiti. The highest wine bid was for a rare and exclusive commemorative bottle of Etienne Guigal and raised £6,500. Berger said: "Tonight has been another fantastic success. It is immensely gratifying to see, and take part in, an event which contributes directly to Action Against Hunger's important work. Everyone here tonight, in some way, is enabling Action Against Hunger to save the lives of malnourished children in over 40 countries worldwide - and that is a wonderful feeling." Hartnett added: "I'm delighted to support this fantastic event. Our passion for fine wine and food unites us in our endeavour to provide families with the tools, seeds and support they need to build a better future and have adequate access to food and water."