A Night of Gastronomic Fundraising Takes Place At The Art School in Liverpool For Chef Matt Davies
On Thursday May 21st, some of the UK’s leading chefs and The Art School team in Liverpool are uniting to raise money in honour of chef Matt Davies, whose dominant left arm was amputated after an accident working in hospitality over seven years ago.
The evening will feature 5 courses and 5 paired wines, entertainment and an auction, curated by a brigade of the UK’s leading chefs including Tom Shepherd, Ellis Barrie, Simon Rimmer, Steven Doherty and The Art School’s Chef Patron, Paul Askew. The evening concludes with music and drinks in The Art School Cellars. Funds raised will go to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and Hospitality Action.
Matt suffered a terrible accident which left him fighting for his life. Such is the severity of Matt’s injury that the original date for this fundraiser, planned for January, had to be postponed whilst Matt had more surgery. This video from Hospitality Action explains what happened to Matt and the support he has received, to how he has raised incredible amounts of money for charity.
In 2017 whilst preparing a lunch service a 32-amp current severely injured Matt’s left arm. He subsequently has had over 70 operations, but after an infection part of his dominant left arm had to be amputated. Being an amputee meant Matt could not continue as a top-level Midlands chef but despite the challenges he has endured, raising more than £100,000 for charities including The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham who treated him, Fisher House and Hospitality Action. And now The Art School in Liverpool is the setting for an evening of wonderful gastronomy to raise money both for the hospital and Hospitality Action.
Matt Davies says: “Being a chef is the only job I’ve ever wanted to do. After my accident I was devastated that my life had changed for ever and my career was taken from me. But in those dark hours, the solidarity shown to me by my fellow chefs and Hospitality Action kept me going. To have chefs who I’ve always regarded as friends cooking in my honour is humbling and incredibly special. It’s great news we are now able to hold this event in May in Liverpool.”
Paul Askew says: “My connection with Matt was that not long after Great British Menu in 2017, Matt had invited myself and Daniela Tucci to Stone as guest chefs for a fine-dining event he’d organised. But we arrived to find his team in utter dismay and were told that the tragic accident had happened the day before and Matt was seriously injured. Since then, Matt has been through countless operations and has had the support of Hospitality Action, whilst being an astounding fund-raiser himself for many good causes, including the hospital which treated him.
He’s such a lovely person and we have been friends ever since, and Matt has the respect of the whole industry for his bravery and fund-raising efforts. So it’s with great pride we welcome Matt and Hospitality Action to The Art School for this very special event. We have wanted to make this happen for a long time – he’s been to our restaurant a few times as our guest, and we’re going to give him the warmest of welcomes on Thursday May 21st.”
Simon Rimmer says: “Matt is one of the genuine stalwarts in the industry. What he tragically experienced, has battled through over the years and then inspired so many others during this time is nothing short of a miracle and he continues to make a difference for so many people, raising money and awareness for key causes. So this event at The Art School in May is all about Matt and to honour him and raise money for the hospital which supported him and for Hospitality Action. We all love him and I know this is going to be a truly special evening for Matt.”
Hospitality Action support the UK’s chefs, waiters, housekeepers and managers, to the concierges, receptionists and kitchen porters, and every sommelier, bartender, catering assistant and cook. They provide essential support for anyone working in hospitality affected byphysical illness and mental health issues to financial difficulty, family problems to addiction. Their all-encompassing support includes people who work in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars or cafés, schools, hospitals or event venues.
A Night of Gastronomic Fundraising at The Art School
Thursday 21 May
1 Sugnall St, Liverpool, L7 7EB
Tickets
