On Thursday 29 February, MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards helped raise £20,500 for the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, the official charity of Brighton & Hove Albion which helps young and disadvantaged people in Sussex to get active, learn new skills and improve their wellbeing.
Themed ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’ the dinner took place at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tunnel Club, with guests including Tom Hamblet, last year’s MasterChef: The Professionals winner and the Foundation’s ambassador Norman Cook (AKA Fatboy Slim).
Actor Brian Capron led the auction that included some incredible, money can’t buy prizes, such as a specially created artwork by Brighton’s Kim M Artist signed by members of BHAFC’s 23/24 men’s first team and head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, a rare shirt signed from Albion’s first ever Europa League game and a private dining experience with Steven Edwards cooking at the winner’s home for up to 12 guests.
Guests were welcomed with a glass of Nyetimber Brut Reserve and snacks prepared by Steven, they were then taken on a private tour of the home players’ dressing room and through the tunnel itself and had the chance to be photographed in the dugout, where Roberto De Zerbi would usually sit.
Steven prepared a three-course meal of Burrata, served with Farmer Tom’s pickled vegetables and chargrilled sourdough, slow cooked beef with salt baked celeriac and Béarnaise sauce, accompanied by triple cooked chips, chargrilled Hispi cabbage, confit garlic mayo, carrots, black sesame, coriander with a dessert of forced Yorkshire rhubarb with set custard and sorrel ice cream.
One of the charity’s beneficiaries Charlie, who lost his leg following a battle with cancer and his mother, gave a moving talk about how the BHAFC Foundation has made a difference to their lives. Charlie and Steven Edwards had already met when Steven and his business partner Steve Barrey joined a football session for amputees back in January.
Steven Edwards says, “Tonight’s dinner is my way of giving back to those less fortunate than myself and celebrating the great work that the team at the Brighton & Albion Foundation put in day after day. It was great to see Charlie again too, he’s such an inspirational young man whose story deserves to be shared. It’s been fantastic to work with Steve Barrey and the BHAFC Foundation in planning this event and I look forward to working with them again to raise more funds in the future.”
All guests were given a pledge card to encourage them to contribute towards the operating costs of the charity. CEO of the BHAFC Foundation, Matt Dorn thanked guests and all involved.
“All of our guests had a great evening, we’ve had some really positive feedback and Steven’s food was fantastic. Events like these are so important for us as a charity, they provide us with crucial funds that help us change lives all over Sussex. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to the dinner, to all of the organisations who sponsored the evening, and of course to Steven, Steve and the team for all of their support.”
