Longstanding Michelin-starred chefs Tom Kerridge and Paul Ainsworth attended the Michelin MX nationals today at Cusses Gorse in Wiltshire to support and celebrate the launch of The Jude Morris Racing Foundation
The Jude Morris Foundation was set up in memory of Jude, The Staff Canteen founders Mark and Lucy Morris' son and a brilliant 17 year old motocross athlete who sadly lost his life competing in The British Championship at Duns in Scotland in August last year.
The foundation aims to help, develop and coach aspiring athletes through physical and mental performance guidance. It ensures their physical and mental wellbeing for their chosen sport is at the highest level to improve performance, reduce injury and to ensure they can perform.
Paul Ainsworth, who rode around the track on a Yamaha 250F, said the experience was "absolutely incredible."
The chef said that he came to support Mark, having followed both of their journeys in professional motocross.
"It was something that I really resonated to with my own dad when he was here," he said, adding: "I just know that whole father-son bond, going motorcycle riding at the weekend."
Describing the foundation and its principles as "incredible," he said, "I think going out there to find the next Jude Morris is an incredible thing because it's an expensive sport and the dedication and all that you have to put into it."
"For me, to be here, it's a total honour."
From left to right: Paul Ainsworth, Andy James, Tom Kerridge
Also attending was Tom Kerridge, who said: "Mark at The Staff Canteen has always been a huge supporter of the [hospitality] industry right from the word go.
"We've been friends for such a long time, and when something like this happens, when a network of people needs support, it's unquestionable that you come and put your name and do anything you can to raise awareness and try and help put something that puts Jude's legacy into place."
"Anything that supports young people chasing their dreams, anything that helps Mark and The Staff Canteen. It's an absolute pleasure and an honour to be here."
Andy James, marketing brand manager for Michelin motorcycle tyres UK, was glad to see the crossover and solidarity between the world of restaurants and motocross, especially as the Michelin Guide was released on the same day as the race.
He said: "Sometimes we forget the importance of the Michelin star system. To the chefs of this world, it's the barometer."
"It's a massive deal, it's the biggest day in the calendar for the world of gastronomy today. Michelin have been synonymous with it since it started."
As a company, he said, "it's important for us. People know about Michelin-starred restaurants, they know about Michelin tyres, they don't always associate the two things together."
"Any way that we can pull together the two elements into one thing and show that Michelin is more than just tyres."
Mark Morris said the event was "absolutely amazing."
"Clearly, it was quite a tough day, with Jude not being there, but to raise £84,000 for Air Ambulances UK after just seven months is absolutely staggering,"" he added.
"We are honoured, flattered and flabbergasted by the amount of people that have supported it, from the motocross industry that have backed it to Paul Ainsworth and Tom Kerridge that came today, all of the riders that have supported it. Onwards and upwards - hopefully we can make a difference for people in motocross."
The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.
Over the last 16 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 560,000 followers across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.
A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.
Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.
