‘Godfather’ of the Staffordshire food scene Matt Davies is set to share stories from his fascinating career – and his more recent battle with mental health following a career-ending injury - during an evening event as part of this year’s Stone Food & Drink Festival.
On Wednesday 29th September Staffordshire Sauce magazine’s Daren Bach will interview the top chef during ‘An Evening with Matt Davies’. The discussion will cover Matt’s career as an Executive Chef in some of the UK’s best restaurants; during which he was ten times crowned winner of the Taste of Staffordshire Best Restaurant award; won the BCF Louis Cipolla Chef of the Year and was awarded second place in Restaurant Magazine UK Best Pasta Award with his signature Raviolo of Lobster. Following his accident, Matt has switched his focus to nurturing new talent and holds the prestigious post of Vice President of British Culinary Federation.
During the event guests will hear Matt regale tales from his glittering career – from his all-time favourite dishes to anecdotes about cooking with The Hairy Bikers, Jean-Christoph Novelli and other culinary celebrities, as well as how the events that changed his life impacted his mental health, before a Q&A session. The event will raise funds for the charity Hospitality Action which, established in 1837, offers vital assistance to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK and for which Matt in an Ambassador.
Matt says: “I am personally so proud and humbled to be invited to be an Ambassador for Hospitality Action, because, after suffering recent life-changing trauma and mental health trauma myself, and seeing how Hospitality Action brilliantly supports our industry and people, combined with my own mission for Charity to help save lives, then the invitation to be an Ambassador, to help our industry and our own people, is an utter privilege. This evening is my way of helping support this amazing charity and I look forward to looking back on a fantastic career with the Daren and the audience.”
Festival chairman, Richard Stevens, says: “We are delighted to welcome Matt back to the festival this year – his demonstrations were always a huge draw and we are proud to do our bit to help him support this charity which does so much to support those in the hospitality industry. I for one can’t wait to hear his anecdotes and am sure that many of those who enjoyed his amazing food during his career will be keen to hear them too.”
Matt will also make a welcome return to the festival’s demonstration kitchen as compere of several of this year’s cookery demonstrations. “An Audience with Matt Davies” will take place on Wednesday 29 September at the Crown Wharf in Crown Street, with tickets priced at £5pp with all proceeds donated to Hospitality Action.
Tickets are are available online via www.stonefooddrink.org.uk