Star turn: Rick Stein will take care of the evening’s main course
(Picture: Press handout)The London restaurant scene is continuing to raise funds in support of Ukraine as the country’s conflict with Russia wages on.
Popular Kensington Italian Pino is welcoming a roster of high profile chefs to cook for one night only, with all profits raised going to support the #cookforukraine campaign. On May 10, owner James Chiavarini will welcome Rick Stein, Rowley Leigh, Henry Harris and Allegra McEvedy for a four-course, £85 supper. Each of the chefs will take a course each, while Chiavarini will handle the wines and serve fresh bread cooked in Pino’s pizza ovens.
Harris, arguably best known for his restaurant Racine, will cook a starter of steak tartare with new season asparagus, followed by Leon co-fouder McEvedy serving a nettle and borage ravioli with a ricotta salata. Stein will handle the main course, a casserole of brill with shallots and morels, with Leigh laying on a ginger tart with rhubarb and gariguette strawberries for pudding. None of them will take a fee for their cooking.
Chiavarini said of the evening: “We wanted to honour the original, ‘old school’ chefs who built the entire restaurant scene on which we all trade. This simple, summery menu from some of London’s greatest chefs is a dream come true and I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to do something good in the process.”
For more information, and to reserve a place, visit famigliaportico.co.uk.
Pino is far from the only spot to announce a fundraising effort. Paella spot Arros QD have launched a Ukraine With Love vodka martini, at £14, where Ukrainian vodka is aged with dry amontillado sherry; profits will be sent to support Ukraine, and it is available to order in the restaurant now.
Elsewhere, the Huntsman and Hounds pub in Elephant and Castle is hosting a blues gig tomorrow, Friday April 22, fundraising for drinkersforukraine.com. The pub will be selling the Ukrainian craft beer Vavar as part of its efforts (more information can be found here), while live music will play throughout the night.
On Saturday, meanwhile, Boxpark Croydon will be live screening the huge clash between heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte, with all ticket proceeds going to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal; more details can be found here.
Next month, Fitzrovia members club Mortimer House is also supporting #cookforukraine; on May 4 the club will welcome Ukrainian chef Yurii Kovryzhenko for a one-off four-course fundraising dinner that will also act as a chance to further explore the culture and cuisine of Ukraine. The £60 tickets and more information can be found here.
