Gary Usher backs crowdfunding page to help ill chef

Restaurateur, Gary Usher who owns Sticky Walnut, Burnt Truffle and Hispi, is backing a crowdfunding page to help raise money for a fellow chef, Si Toft, who has been forced to close his restaurant due to illness.

Gary is aiming to reach £5, 000 to help him out whilst he is in hospital and will be holding a guest chef night on Sunday where all proceeds will go to Si’s crowdfunding page.

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On speaking about why he wanted to help Si out, Gary said: “I’ve only met him once, but he’s a lovely guy. If anyone has seen his twitter account you can see he’s just a really humble guy.”

Si Toft is the head chef and co-owner of the small bistro restaurant, The Dining Room situated in Abersoch, Wales. As the only chef in the small 24-cover restaurant, Si has been forced to close The Dining Room whilst he’s in hospital. The money raised from his crowdfunding page, set up by a family member, will help pay suppliers, staff wages and generally keep Si and his family afloat until he is well enough to reopen.

Gary said: “He has a tiny little restaurant in Abersoch and he’s a one man band in the kitchen. I don’t know what’s happened to him entirely with his illness but he got rushed to hospital a couple of weeks ago and he has to close the restaurant for a week. Once he’s out of the kitchen, that’s it, he has to close.”

Gary, who is very active on Twitter, is encouraging his followers to support Si with hopes to raise £5,000 by Sunday evening to help him and his family out over the next week or so while he recovers in hospital.

Gary said: “I just thought if we could get him £5, 000 I know that would get him level. So it will pay his suppliers that he already owes and he owes wages from what’s already been worked so £5, 000 would just keep him afloat until he gets back.”

This Sunday Gary will be holding a guest chef night at his restaurant Sticky Walnut with all proceeds going to Si’s crowdfunding page. Before going to print, the crowdfunding page had already gone over the £2, 000 mark.

•  If you would like to donate to Si Toft's crowdfunding page please click here.

By Michael Parker