Gordon Ramsay Cooks Up A Success For Women's Aid

A star-studded dinner organised by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his wife, Tana, raised money for Women's Aid in London last week.

The 41-year-old chef shared compèring duties with DJ Neil Fox at the black-tie event for the Women’s Aid ACT — Until Women and Children are Safe campaign. Among the 300 guests at Hanover Square in London on Thursday night were the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah – who is a patron of Women’s Aid – as well as Elizabeth Hurley, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Trinny Woodall.

Women’s Aid is a national charity in Britain that aims to end domestic violence against women and children. Proceeds from Ramsay’s dinner – an annual event that last year raised over US$400,00 for the charity – will go towards a planned project to improve advice and support for abused women and kids, as well as lobbying for changes in the law to improve the lives of victims.

“We are so grateful to Gordon and Tana Ramsay for generously hosting this wonderful event for the second year,” said Nicola Harwin, Women’s Aid Chief Executive. “This not only raises vital funds for Women’s Aid but also sends out the message that we all need to ACT now to end domestic violence – that is to Admit it’s a problem, Call it by its name and Talk to someone. We desperately need funds to continue in our work to end domestic violence and money raised from this year’s event will allow us to continue in our vital work to end violence against women and children into 2009. Every penny raised tonight will make a real difference to our work and will help us to save lives.”

The sumptuous dinner, catered by Gordon Ramsay, started with a Champagne and caviar reception and canapés, followed by best end of lamb with confit shoulder, spiced aubergine puree and spinach and fondant potato. The guests were then served a milk chocolate, praline and salted caramel parfait for dessert.

“We want to make sure the police, teachers and members of the public are aware of domestic abuse to make sure it does not go unnoticed,” said Harwin. “Women’s Aid has three main aims to help women escape violent relationships — preventing abuse through support and awareness, providing services such as refuges and helplines, and protecting those who manage to break away from their abuser. We help more than 320,000 women each year. With events like this, we hope to [help] more in the future.”