Over £12,000 was raised for Hospitality Action at a black tie gala dinner held at the Marriott Sprowston Manor hotel in Norwich earlier this month.

The event, the first of its kind in Norfolk, was run in conjunction with City College Norwich’s Hotel School and seven of East Anglia’s finest chefs, and comprised a seven course meal for 210 dinner guests.

Each chef, assisted by the students of the Hotel School at City College Norwich, cooked one signature dish, and all ingredients were locally sourced.

Among the participating chefs were BHA members Galton Blackiston of Morston Hall, Paul Danabie of Marriott Sprowston Manor, Danny Smith of the Wildebeest Arms, Roger Hickman of Adlards, and Steve Thorpe of City College Norwich.

Philip Search, general manager of Marriott Sprowston Manor, and a member of the BHA’s Eastern Regional Committee, said, “The evening was a huge success and I would like to express my personal gratitude to all those involved. To raise over £12,000 for Hospitality Action in one evening is fantastic, and we are already discussing dates for next year.”

Photograph: (left to right) Phillip Search of Marriott Sprowston Manor, Richard Hughes of the Lavendar House, and Mick Cooper, Head of Hotel School.