A stellar line-up of top chefs has been announced for the first of two instalments of the 2024 Signature Food Festival, being held in The Chester Hotel, Aberdeen this April.
The fine-dining food festival is organised by the JEllie Foundation, a charitable organisation that donates funds to local children’s charities, which was created by Gillian and Graham Wood, owners of The Chester Hotel.
Since 2017, the Signature Food Festival has raised over £1.4 million for charity and will host events in both spring and autumn this year, promising an ‘extraordinary showcase of culinary excellence’ as Michelin-starred chefs come to town to cook for festival goers.
The April instalment of the festival will be opened by Great British Menu ‘Champion of Champions’ Adam Handling MBE , chef proprietor of the Michelin starred ‘Frog by Adam Handling’.
Adding to the excitement, the Woods were thrilled to announce the debut of Tom Kerridge at the Signature Food Festival. One of Britain’s best-loved chefs, Kerridge is a holder of three Michelin Stars and the culinary force behind acclaimed establishments such as ‘Hand & Flowers’ in Marlow.
Joining the spring line-up is Chef Michael O’Hare, the creative genius from ‘The Man Behind the Curtain’ restaurant.
Graham Wood expressed his gratitude: “The generosity of Signature diners has raised over £1.4 million for local good causes, motivating us to continue attracting the highest calibre of British chefs to Signature.
“Our goal is to offer diners in Aberdeen the chance to savour the cuisine of these highly respected chefs right here in Aberdeen. We are thrilled to have a line-up of all-new chefs for 2024. Adam Handling, Tom Kerridge and Michael O’Hare have long been on our wish-list for the Signature Food Festival.”
Charities benefiting from The JEllie Foundation donations include: Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, The Archie Foundation, SensationALL, Aberdeen Lads Club, Cash for Kids, Aberlour Childrens Charity, Charlie House, Children 1st, Ballater-based A Bear Named Buttony, Homestart Aberdeen, The Leanne Fund, and The Baird Hospital Parents’ Hotel.
These organizations receive support for initiatives that range from assisting children and young people with a life-affecting medical conditions to helping with crisis funds, supermarket vouchers, energy costs, and accommodation for parents of premature babies.
Tickets for each of Signature’s spring fine-dining events go on general release on Monday, March 4, via www.signaturefoodfestival.co.uk.
There will be further announcements regarding the chefs delivering the second course of the Signature Food Festival, scheduled for November 2024, along with details of the JEllie Foundation Sunday Comedy Lunch.
