Corporate Cook Off Event 2009

Some of Edinburgh's top businessmen and women swapped the boardroom for the professional kitchen last Wednesday evening (18th February) as they competed in a charity cook off which raised just over £38,000 for the Cyrenians.

Teams from Artemis Investment Management, Cairn Energy and Dickson Minto went head to head in the kitchen at The Restaurant at The Bonham to raise money in aid of the Edinburgh Cyrenians Good Food Programme.

Each team of three "wannabe" Gordon Ramseys were allowed into the kitchen at Restaurant at The Bonham and faced with the challenge of creating a mouth watering menu for 60 of their colleagues who had all paid for the privilege of tasting their efforts. The teams were under added pressure, as live pictures from the kitchen were broadcast to their guests in the dining room-so no shortcuts were allowed!

The amateur chefs worked under the guidance of Restaurant at The Bonham's head chef, Michel Bouyer who said: "The evening certainly provided the participants with an excellent team building experience. Teamwork is essential in a professional kitchen and they all pulled together to make the night a success."

The Artemis Team Captain, Dick Turpin said: "It was hard work but an unforgettable experience and we were delighted to be able to raise so much for such a worthwhile cause."

A total of £38,000 was raised, for the Cyrenians, who work hard to support over 1,000 people a year with accommodation, employment training and improving health.