Porthleven's Jude Kereama joined a host of star chefs to raise over £40,000 for Ukraine at a one-off dinner.

Jude, who runs Kota and Kota Kai took part in 'Cornwall Cooks for Ukraine' on Friday 8th April at Trevear Farm, near Padstow. The event saw Cornish hospitality industry peers suppliers, farmers, local businesses, and chefs come together for a gala evening that saw 140 guests attend.

Hosted by Daphne Skinnard of BBC Radio Cornwall, and featuring a live auction, organisers hoped the dinner would raise £25,000. The final total came to £41,492.

Exceeding Helping Hands & Pans target, all funds will be used for ShelterBox's indispensable emergency shelter and aid distribution programme in Ukraine.  

Alongside Jude were Nathan Outlaw (Outlaw's), Emily Scott (Restaurant Emily Scott), Paul Ripley (Behind the Bike Sheds), Stephane Delourme (Rick Stein Restaurants), Andy Tuck (St Kew Inn), and Stuart Pate (Outlaw's).  

Working together to curate the menu, the evening's feast featured the likes of hay-smoked salmon with ember roasted bisque and tapioca ocean crisps; chickpea and cheddar fritters, and chicken Kyiv stuffed with wild and black garlic, served alongside morel-stuffed chicken wings. To finish there was Kyiv cake made with hazelnuts, vanilla, and chocolate creams. 

Businesses local and farther afield which supported the event through produce and or prize donations included Tarquin's, St Austell Brewery, Total Produce, Philip Warren, and Chocolarder, among many others.

Ian Fitzgerald of Helping Hands & Pans commented: 

"The events in Ukraine have touched us all and we were so grateful, but not in the least surprised, for the alacrity that friends, colleagues, our local community came together to stage a fundraiser. 'Helping Hands and Pans' is a simple idea. It is about donating time, irrespective of experience or industry background, to put on events to benefit worthy causes. We chose to support the Cornish based charity ShelterBox and their Ukraine crisis work and were delighted to see tickets sell out within minutes. Thank you, Cornwall, for your generosity."