A prominent restaurant near Bristol has launched a crowdfunding prize draw to raise money to survive the "brutal" winter ahead for the hospitality industry. The Ethicurean in Wrington, set against the Mendips, is offering diners the chance to win exclusive dining experiences and tours of its walled garden for just £5 per entry.
First opened in 2010, the restaurant - which holds a Michelin green star for its environmental commitments - said "independent hospitality businesses are facing the perfect storm of tricky conditions" with rising costs combined with staff shortages. Many restaurants in Bristol have been forced to close this year due to the cost of living crisis, including Woky Ko, Casamia and Al's Tikka Grill after almost 30 years in Bedminster.
First prize is an exclusive dinner party for up to six people where Head Chef Mark McCabe will cook up a five-course feast in your home. It promises a Michelin-quality experience from the comfort of your own home, restricted to people in the Bristol area.
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"Not only do you have the chance to gift some truly spectacular prizes, but you'll also be helping us to survive through to the Spring. We need you to be in it to win it," the restaurant said. The team has set a fundraising target of £10,000 and has already received £3,000 in donations.
Second prize is private hire for up to ten people in the restaurant's snug, offering the full Ethicurean Experience, with welcome drinks, a tour of the garden where much of the produce is grown and a multiple-course meal. The restaurant's 'Ethicurean Experience' costs £150 per person, with lunch priced at £75.
The third prize is for up to four people to spend an afternoon with foraging expert Matthew Pennington and learn how to cook with the produce. Suggested donations start from £5 to £50, the latter of which would give you 10 entries into the prize draw. The full terms and conditions are available on the fundraiser page.
On its Crowdfunder page, the restaurant said: "We're not going to lie; it's brutal out there at the moment. Independent hospitality businesses are facing the perfect storm of tricky conditions. From increased energy costs to staff shortages and ongoing supply chain issues, we are by no means out of the woods.
"Here at The Ethicurean, we are fighting to do things right. We have become a living wage employer and ensure that all staff can maintain the best possible work-life balance. We work to support local suppliers and small farms and spend what's needed to control our ecological footprint.
"Our whole industry is facing a challenging winter, and our beautiful but out-of-town location means we've always been less busy over the festive period, as guests opt for the bustling bright lights of the city centre."
In 2020, the restaurant announced it would start charging people the full price for their meals when they make a booking to give confidence to "generate the income to pay our staff and related costs". The Ethicurean also offers vouchers for people looking for a gift for foodies this Christmas.
You can visit The Ethicurean's crowdfunding page here.
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