Vivek Singh, Atul Kochhar and Cyrus Todiwala champion Asian cuisine to raise money for the Mastara Chef initiative

Vivek Singh, will join forces with fellow chefs Atul Kochhar, Cyrus Todiwala and Philip Corrick to raise money for the Mastara Chef apprentice initiative, by preparing a four-course Gastronomic Experience dinner at the Royal Automobile Club on 3 February 2014.   The dinner aims to raise more than £10,000 for Mastara Chef, to help hit its target of £38,000 to support a scholarship for four aspiring chefs. Diners will enjoy a course prepared by each of the chefs, with Vivek preparing the main course of Rajasthani roast saddle of lamb, masala cashew nut and saffron sauce. Alongside the four-course meal, the evening will include live entertainment and an auction, including prizes such as a weekend with a Bentley. Conservative MP Eric Pickles will be attending the event and the tickets, priced at £95, are available from www.cinnamonclub.com.   The Mastara Chef initiative is a campaign from The Asian Restaurants Skills Board chaired by Iqbal Wahhab, the government, and the sector skills council for hospitality, People 1^st. It aims to combat the issue of tighter immigration laws, which has led to Asian and Oriental restaurants struggling to recruit staff from abroad. The scheme financially supports UK-based trainees through an Asian and Oriental cuisine course at the University of West London, and on completion of the course, organises apprenticeships at some of the UK’s best Asian and Oriental restaurants. Mastara Chef aims to recruit another 20 apprentices between now and the end of March 2014 to meet the growing need for Asian and Oriental trained chefs.   Vivek Singh employs a number of talented and dedicated Mastara Chef apprentices at his modern Indian restaurants. Last month, three of these apprentices took part in the Asian and Oriental Young Chef of the Year Awards, entered by hundreds across the UK. Cinnamon Soho’s Jai Kadam won first place, with Cinnamon Kitchen’s Daniel Walsh coming third, whilst Carolyn Huntley took third place in the senior’s category.   Vivek comments: “I am delighted to be supporting the Mastara Chef initiative. I work with some extremely gifted and enthusiastic apprentices, and hope we can raise money and awareness of the fantastic work they do to support the next generation of chefs.” Carolyn Huntley comments: “Since I became an apprentice in May, it has been a very rewarding experience thus far, and I thoroughly enjoy what I do.  I have learned so much working with Chef Abdul, Vivek and the team, and my role is truly a rewarding one.”   Tickets can be purchased for the Gastronomic Experience dinner here:

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