Get this date in your diary people, because on Wednesday 1st July, prizes from the food and drink industry’s leading lights will be up for grabs via Today’s Special, a huge online charity auction which will be live-streamed across the country on Zoom.
Co-hosted by the fabulous Andi Oliver and Oliver Peyton (Great British Menu) with a ‘live’ auction by auctioneer Tom Best, this will be YOUR chance to bid on money-can’t-buy experiences from a host of great chefs, such as Angela Hartnett, Michel Roux Jr and Tom Kerridge, as well as the nation’s favourite restaurants, including Hawksmoor, St. John, Dishoom, Franco Manca and Pho.
All the money raised from Today’s Special will be split between Action Against Hunger and Hospitality Action, organisations that support those at risk of hunger in the UK and around the world, as well as hospitality workers hit hardest by the industry shutdown in the UK.
Lots will include a host of prizes to help feed and fuel people and events impacted by Covid-19. Including a bespoke celebratory cake by Lily Vanilli, baker to Elton John and Lady Gaga; a Sunday roast cooked for you in your home by Sally Abé, head chef of London’s only Michelin-starred pub, The Harwood Arms; or a jerk-spiced fried chicken street party catered by James Cochran with ice-cold pints of draught beer from Forest Road Brewery’s Tactical Beer Response Unit (for that postponed summer party).
There will also be a series of ‘virtual’ and in-person cookery sessions, including private Zoom masterclasses for a group of friends with top chefs Michel Roux Jr, Angela Hartnett, Shuko Oda, Ching He Huang and Sabrina Ghayour, and pastry chefs such as Helen Goh (Ottolenghi), Anna Higham (Lyle’s and Flor) and master sourdough baker Adam Sellar (Angel Bakery).
The event begins at 8pm on July 1st and prospective bidders can buy a £5 ticket to the event, which will give you access to the Zoom livestream, enabling you to place bids on as many auctions as you like using a virtual paddle. Ticket holders will also be able to participate in a silent auction which will include more than 100 lots from every corner of the country. Through the two auctions and the ticket sales, Today’s Special is aiming to raise at least £50,000 for AAH and Hospitality Action.
Many more prizes will be announced in the run-up to the event, with regular updates on the Today’s Special social media channels and website so we’d suggest giving them a follow.
“VERY excited to be hosting Today’s Special. These are such tough times for so many in our industry and projects like this one will help us to get to the other side. Supporting each other and coming together is the way forward and I am so pleased to be able to play my part. All proceeds go to Action Against Hunger and Hospitality Action, two inspired organisations working at the forefront of this crisis.” Andi Oliver
When: Wednesday July 1st at 8pm
You can buy your ticket here.
