Welsh chefs prepare for South African charity campaign

Toby Beevers, executive chef at The University of Chester, Mike Evans, a lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, Rhos on Sea, Gareth Johns, co-owner of the Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth and Colin Gray, chef director in Capital Cuisine, Cardiff, have been set a target of raising £3,000. They have been selected to represent the Welsh Culinary Association at the third World Chefs Tour Against Hunger. The event aims to raise money to provide food to feed underprivileged children in South Africa and promote global awareness of the dire need to help alleviate poverty and hunger. Open to 250 chefs from around the globe, the 10-day tour runs from August 21-30 and is being organised by the South African Chefs Association with support from the World Association of Chefs Societies. Starting and ending in Johannesburg, the tour will travel across the country visiting various cities. The chefs will take part in food festivals, demonstrations and feeding schemes, culminating in a festive Bidvest Gala dinner where donated items will be auctioned to raise money. To support their fundraising bid, Beevers and Evans are organising a fundraising five-course dinner in conjunction with local charity Tŷ Gobaith at Coleg Llandrillo Cymru on Thursday, May 5. Tickets at £35 each are available from Tŷ Gobaith, who will share the proceeds with the chefs. Johns, who took part in the tour in South Africa in 2003, said: "I am very proud indeed to be representing Wales again at this amazing event. I came home last time feeling enriched yet humbled by my experiences, and am looking forward to being able, by my own small efforts, to help those less fortunate than myself to look forward to a better future." Mr Gray added: "I am proud to be representing Wales on this momentous occasion. It's an opportunity to give something back to those less fortunate than ourselves and to be able to contribute to the global effort is immensely fulfilling."