The seventeenth edition of the Too Many Critics charity fundraising event took place on Tuesday 26th June, and saw food writers and critics swapping their pens for aprons and guests raising a record breaking £145,000 for Action Against Hunger. Held at the glamourous Manhattan-inspired Darby’s restaurant in Nine Elms, the evening brought together critics, chefs, food lovers, and generous donors to support the global fight against hunger.
Founded by food writer Bill Knott, the event featured prominent critics including Tom Parker Bowles (Mail on Sunday), Leyla Kazim (MasterChef), Giles Coren (The Times), David Ellis (Evening Standard), Hannah Twiggs (Independent), and Kate Krader (Bloomberg), while the evening’s entertainment was guided by host Joe Warwick.
The critics-turned-chefs-for-the-night prepared a three-course meal for the guests, demonstrating their skills in shucking, baking, and smoking, all signature techniques of Darby’s. The critics were also cooking under the watchful eyes of judges Francesco Mazzei and Vivek Singh, and Robin Gill, who declared critic Kate Krader the night’s winner, thanks to her hard work and Roasted allium and & new season fricassèe.
Exclusive prizes were up for grabs in a silent auction, including a four-course meal at the Cinnamon Club hosted by Vivek Singh, a private dinner for 12 at Kolae with chefs Andy Oliver and Mark Dobbie, an overnight stay with a private dining party at The Princess Royal pub and hotel in Notting Hill, and the chance to join the Evening Standard’s food critic Jimi Famurewa on a restaurant review.
A live auction, held after dessert, featured further prizes such as a day in the kitchen with Darby’s head chef Robin Gill and a luxurious trip for two to Dubai courtesy of the tashas team, including 5-star accommodation and dining experiences at a number of their sites.
Jean-Michel Grand, Action Against Hunger UK’s executive director, expressed his gratitude:
“We are immensely thankful to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Too Many Critics event such a tremendous success. Over 735 million people globally don’t have enough food to eat, and the thousands of pounds raised will significantly support our efforts to combat global malnutrition, in communities where life-threatening hunger is fuelled by conflict, climate change and inequality.”
The funds raised from the event will go towards supporting Action Against Hunger’s work predicting, preventing, and treating life-threatening hunger. The charity’s efforts are more critical than ever, as 14 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition – the most dangerous form of hunger. With unbeatable knowledge and unstoppable determination, the charity supported more than 28 million people across 55 countries in 2023.