Critics and chefs to swap roles for upcoming charity event

The 'Too Many Critics' charity event, established by Bill Knott and the late Charles Campion in support of Action Against Hunger, returns for 2025 at Roe in Canary Wharf.

Roe is the latest restaurant from highly successful trio Will Murray, Jack Croft and James Robson, who also run Fallow and FOWL in London.

This year’s line-up, on Monday, June 16, will see food critics Tom Parker-Bowles (Mail on Sunday), Leonie Cooper (Time Out), David Ellis (The London Standard), Molly Codyre (Foodism), Kate Krader (Bloomberg), Hannah Twiggs (Independent) and Adam Hyman (CODE and The Good Food Guide) move away from their desks and into the kitchen for one night only.

They will cook a four-course dinner for a room full of guests and a host of chefs-turned-judges, to raise funds and awareness for Action Against Hunger. 

Chefs including Ashley Palmer-Watts (The Devonshire) and Shaun Searley (The Quality Chop House) will take on the role of critic during the event, which is now in its 18th year.

Critics will be tasked with cooking signature dishes from both Roe and Fallow, championing modest and underused British ingredients and showcasing the restaurants’ zero-waste philosophy. 

auction prizes up for grabs

The event will also feature a silent auction, which goes live on June 2, offering exclusive prizes such as private dining experiences, wine tours and luxury stays.

Highlights of the silent auction include dinners for two at the following acclaimed restaurants; three-Michelin-starred Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms from Mark Birchall; Wildflowers restaurant in Belgravia, Hackney hotspot Sesta; and The Palmerston and Leftfield in Edinburgh. 

A live auction will also take place in the evening, offering guests the opportunity to bid for highly sought after prizes, including dinner for four cooked at home by chef Joe Laker of Counter 71, paired with a whiskey flight by Ryan Sheehan from their sister bar, Lowcountry. 

Last year’s event raised over £145,000 for Action Against Hunger, supporting their work providing life-saving treatment and care to millions of people suffering from life-threatening hunger in over 50 countries, with this year’s edition aiming to do the same.

Funds raised at this year’s Too Many Critics event will help Action Against Hunger continue its vital work tackling life-threatening hunger, both in the UK and around the world.

What does Action Against Hunger do?

The charity supports more than 28 million people across over 50 countries every year, delivering lifesaving nutrition, clean water, and mental health support to families facing crisis.

In the UK, Action Against Hunger works with local partners to address the root causes of hunger, supporting community-led food and wellbeing hubs, school food initiatives, and research to shape long-term solutions.

Internationally, the charity responds to emergencies, trains health workers to spot and treat malnutrition early, and works with governments to improve health systems and food security.

Every ticket purchased, and every auction prize bid on, helps to fund this essential work, making sure more children survive, grow up strong, and build futures free from hunger.

Tickets are priced at £250 per person and will include a four-course meal with matching wines from Liberty Wines, and a Taittinger Champagne reception with canapes. 

Tickets are on sale now via the Action Against Hunger website HERE.