Two of the biggest names in London food — Henry Harris of Bouchon Racine, and Ben Allen, head chef at the Parakeet — will join forces next month for a one-off charity dinner.
In an industry first for both restaurants, the chefs are joining forces to raise money for two charities, with proceeds shared evenly between both: MAP, on behalf of Allen, which provides medical aid to Palestinians; and Papyrus, a suicide prevention organisation supported by Harris.
Together, the chefs will cook a nine-course sharing menu, drawing on the food of Harris’ cult hit Bouchon Racine, an impeccable homage to Lyon, and Allen’s modern European cooking at the Parakeet, already a North London favourite.
On the menu, dishes such as chicken liver pâté and cornichons; flame-grilled mackerel and salt-baked kohlrabi salad; rabbit with mustard sauce and smoked bacon; and confit trout, sea herbs, and butter sauce.
Beers, cocktails and pairing wines will be available and 10 per cent of alcohol sales will be divided between the two charities.
“I’m excited to work with Henry, the OG of French cooking in the UK,” said Allen.
“It’s an honour to be cooking for two great causes with him at the Parakeet. I’m excited to be supporting MAP: at this turbulent time, I can’t think of anything more important than supporting children in need in the Middle East.”
Harris added: “I love going to the Parakeet to eat on my days out of the kitchen and what he’s done with the food and what the team have done to transform this pub over the last 16 months is really exciting.
“I’m really pleased to be able to support Papyrus, a charity close to my heart after some very good friends of ours lost their son to suicide in January. It was a no-brainer to help support others who go through such heartache in any way I could and to try and help prevent such losses in the future.”
