Update on A Big Night Out with Fifteen

Chefs, celebrities and generous donors turned up to help raise more than £200,000 for the Fifteen Foundation charity’s annual fundraiser at Shoreditch Town Hall last night.

Chefs James Martin, Giorgio Locatelli, Thomasina Miers, Peter Gordon, Gennaro Contaldo and Rachel Allen were joined by Blur bassist turned cheese-maker Alex James and actors Dexter Fletcher, Fay Ripley and Tamzin Oathwaite.

Jamie Cullum, accompanied by girlfriend Sophie Dahl, performed two fantastic sets – including his latest single “I’m all over it now” while GMTV presenter Ben Shephard was a superb MC.

Jamie and Fifteen’s executive head chef Andrew Parkinson devised a delicious menu to delight the guests comprising picked Cornish crab, chicken in an orange blossom and herby brine and Amadei chocolate and espresso tart. Jamie’s Italian Executive Head Chef Jules Hunt and chefs from Jamie’s Italian prepared the pasta course of spicy spaghetti vongole which was served by some of the apprentice chef’s from this year’s cohort.

Guests were tempted by all sorts of exciting prizes, all of which had been generously donated. They could spin the wheel of fortune, bid in the silent auction, unlock one of three travel trunks, and bid in a main auction with prizes such as a year in Food Heaven and an X-Factor experience.

Penny Newman, Fifteen Foundation CEO, said: “Big Night was a roaring success and we are so pleased with the amount we raised. We would like to thank everyone who’s made this event so special whether they donated prizes, helped us to raise the money or volunteered their services on the night.”

If you want to see the Evening Standard’s coverage of the event please visit http://tinyurl.com/yz8hamw There’s pics and a video too.