Fifteen top chefs raised a quarter of a million pounds last weekend for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice.
The 15 chefs, including Michelin star holders and winners of many other top culinary awards, took part in the biennial fundraising event Chefs’ Night Out on Saturday 29 March and raised £250,000 in the process.
Organised by long-time Tŷ Hafan supporters David Loosemore, Managing Director of Portabella, and Huw Edwards, Head of Auctions and Auctioneer at Seel & Co, Chefs’ Night Out saw some of the best culinary talents in the country come together to cook their signature dishes for members of South Wales’ business community to raise money for children with life-shortening conditions and their families in Wales.
Last weekend’s event took place at Cornerstone, Cardiff and the 15 chefs cooked for 140 appreciative diners, with the event now firm fixture in Tŷ Hafan’s fundraising calendar since it started in 2010.
“Once again, we are absolutely amazed by the huge generosity of our guests and the total of £250,000 is far beyond any of our expectations,” said Huw Edwards, speaking after the event.”
“Special mention though must go to the chefs who give their time, food and wine at absolutely no charge which makes such a difference to the total that we can then pass on to Tŷ Hafan to make the maximum impact for them.”
This year’s sought-after event sold out within days and saw each chef catering for a table of 10. During the evening diners also had the opportunity to bid for the services for some of the chefs to cook for them at their own homes or a private venue of their own choice at a later date.
“I was truly humbled to be a part of such an incredible evening and event,” said Hywel Jones. “Cooking alongside friends both new and old is always great fun especially when raising funds for such an amazing charity.”
Hywel, of Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park, added: “The generosity of the room was staggering and I’m very much looking forward to cooking for my guests in their homes. Diolch!”
Alex and Dan Forbes and their three children Felix, 12, Lottie, 10, and four-year-old Maggie live in the Vale of Glamorgan and are supported by Tŷ Hafan. Felix was born with born with Miller-Dieker syndrome, which means he cannot walk or talk, is fed through a tube and has daily seizures. The couple shared their story with the chefs and diners on the night.
“Being asked to speak at Chefs’ Night Out and share our story of what it’s like being a Tŷ Hafan family was an honour,” said Alex.
“To be able to share the many ways Tŷ Hafan has supported us over the years, hopefully showcases how vitally important not only the work Tŷ Hafan does, but the importance of supporting this amazing charity through fundraising or donations, including by events such as Chefs’ Night Out.
“The whole night was an extraordinary experience. The time the chefs took out themselves to be there and create this spectacular evening was just incredible and we were totally blown away by the money raised, it was just phenomenal. We can’t thank everyone enough for their continued support.”
Rachel Ritter, Head of Fundraising for Tŷ Hafan, said:
“Chefs’ Night Out is a fundraising event like no other! It’s always a huge event for Tŷ Hafan and for South Wales and we are so grateful to David, Huw, all the amazing chefs and support teams who cooked for us, our speakers Alex and Dan Forbes, and everyone who has come together to make this incredible event work for us.
“Too many families in Wales are struggling through the fear, exhaustion and uncertainty that comes with caring for a child whose life will be short. When every day could be their child’s last, families should be making memories together instead of facing each one with dread. No family should have to live this journey on their own.
“Right now, we only have enough money to help one in ten families in Wales who need our help. We need to do more.
“And that’s why the £1.3m plus raised by Chefs’ Night Out since it started for us in 2010 is so important.
“Because when a child’s life will be short, Tŷ Hafan will walk alongside their family every step of the way – through life, death and beyond.”
Those chefs who took part in Chefs’ Night Out 2025 for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice were:
- Sian Wyn Owen from The River Café
- Stephen Terry formerly at The Hardwick
- David Kelman from Estelle Manor
- Roger Jones formerly at The Harrow at Little Bedwyn
- Matt Smith from Freemasons at Wiswell
- Hywel Jones from Restaurant Hywel Jones at Lucknam Park
- Adam Wood from Noble Rot
- Andrew Birch from The Checkers
- Douglas Balish from Fernery Grove of Narberth
- Dan Andrée from Penmaenuchaf
- Tom Waters from Gorse
- Tom Peters from Thomas
- Jonathan Woolway from The Shed
- Owen Morgan from Grupo 44
- Ludovic Dieumegard from Harbourmaster