Local award-winning chefs raise thousands for QEHB Charity at fine-dining event

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity teamed up with Matt Davies, Vice President of the British Culinary Federation and former award-winning chef, for the second year to host the Great Brummie Menu. The event took place on Tuesday 20th May, and Matt was joined by local award-winning chefs, including Glynn Purnell, and stars of The Great British Menu and Bake Off The Professionals.

The event raised a staggering £18,245 which will go towards Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity and Hospitality Action, two charities close to Matt’s heart.

Eight years ago, Matt suffered severe burns and lost the use of his arm and was treated by Burns and Plastics Surgeon, Colonel Mark Foster at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Matt has gone through over 70 operations over the years and unfortunately, after severe infection had to have his arm amputated last year. He is incredibly grateful for the ongoing care he has received and wanted to say thank you and give something back, so began organising charity fine-dining events and has been fundraising for the hospital charity ever since.

Matt said, “Colonel Mark Foster has been with me through this journey for 8 years. I am hugely indebted to him and the incredible team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. This is the second year doing this phenomenal event with my amazing friends who cooked on the night. Working with the hospital charity I have been able to raise money to help others going through their treatment journey. I’m proud to have been able to help put on another fantastic Great Brummie Menu event.”

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the amazing Chefs who came to support Matt at the event including local TV chef, Glynn Purnell, Michelin Star Chefs Luke Tipping from Simpsons and Jonathan Howe from Lumiere Restaurant, Cheltenham alongside Great British Menu Star, Liam Dillon and Bake Off The Professionals Finalist, Darryl Collins. The chefs were supported by students on the Culinary Arts Management and Professional Chef degree programmes from University College Birmingham, supported by BCF Junior Team England. The evening included a sparkling drinks reception followed by a 5-course tasting menu, with each course prepared by a different chef. The lucky guests were treated to Glynn Purnell’s famous Burnt English Custard Egg Surprise, which won the dessert course of the Great British Menu in 2008 with a perfect score of 10/10/10.

Glynn said, “Matt’s been a great friend of mine for many years. He’s been through so much and when things happen in life, we need to support each other. The Great Brummie Menu is for a great cause, this is the second year Matt has put on this fantastic event and I didn’t want to miss it for the world. I’m here to support Matt and help raise some money for the charities close to his heart.”

Arch 13 at Connollys generously provided the wine flight with each course and the evening also included a charity auction with some amazing prizes donated, thanks to Simpsons Restaurant Birmingham, Lumiere Restaurant Cheltenham (Jonathan Howe), Thurlestone Hotel, Lympstone Manor Hotel Restaurant and Vineyard, West Midlands Safari Park, The Boat Inn Lichfield, The Horseshoes Belbroughton, Opheem Birmingham and the Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham. Matt would also like to thank Tattu Birmingham, Moseley Rugby Club, Edgbaston Golf Club and F1 Arcade for kindly donating raffle prizes, and Barclays for match funding.