AN INNOVATIVE foodie fundraising event that supports young people into a career in the hospitality sector is returning for 2018.

Yes Chef!, run by leading children’s charity Action for Children, works with six young men supported by the charity’s Moving On service. The young men learn to cook from scratch before preparing a meal for hundreds of guests at a top hotel in Glasgow. Last October, the event was recognised at the Scottish Event Awards in the Cause/Charity Event of the Year category as well as picking up the chairman’s award.

The showstopping six-course taster menu for guests at the Hilton in Glasgow on November 4 will be prepared by young men who spent time in prison at an early age and are being supported by the charity to transform their lives. Since launching in 2014, Yes Chef! has supported a total of 24 young men and raised more than £100k to support the charity’s work.

Ahead of the programme, the would-be-chefs had little, or no, previous kitchen experience but will spend 12 weeks readying themselves at the Tennent’s Training Academy as well as working in some of the best, and well-known, venues and restaurants across Glasgow.

The launch event saw the young men take part in a pizza making class at the Tennent's Training Academy – the training sponsor of Yes Chef! 2018.

Fiona Steel, operational director of children’s services at Action for Children, said: “We are extremely proud of the young men set to embark on this journey, they are a credit to themselves for their desire to turn their lives around. We have set them the challenge of preparing a meal for around 500 guests at a top Glasgow hotel in November and this will be like nothing they have ever experienced before.

“Our Yes Chef! event is innovative because it gives the young people we support the chance to develop new skills and gain qualifications, with many going on to work in kitchens afterwards.

“The event’s success is partly down to the tremendous support we receive from businesses and restaurants across Glasgow. It means a huge amount to the young men involved that so many are willing to open their doors and offer them a chance to prove themselves. It is great so many of those taking part have grasped that opportunity and found a career in catering or used the experience, and the transferable skills, as a launching pad into another line of work.”

Tables of 10 are available at the cost of £750, with limited VIP tables available at £1,000. To book your table. please contact Kirsty Martin-Steele on 0141 550 9024 or email Kirsty.Martin-Steele@actionforchildren.org.uk.