The Art School to host fundraising event in honour of chef Matt Davies

Some of the UK’s leading chefs, along with The Art School team in Liverpool, are coming together to raise money in honour of chef Matt Davies.

The evening will take place on Thursday, May 21st, with the gastronomic event raising funds for charities such as Hospitality Action.

Matt Davies was injured back in 2017, with his dominant left arm needing to be amputated after an accident working in hospitality over seven years ago. The accident happened while preparing a lunch service when a 32-amp current severely injured Matt’s left arm left him fighting for his life. Subsequently, he had over 70 operations, but after an infection, part of his dominant left arm had to be amputated.

Being an amputee means that Matt could not continue as a top-level Midlands chef, although despite these challenges, he has gone on to raise more than £100,000 for charities including The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham who treated him, Fisher House and Hospitality Action.

The event will showcase 5 courses paired with wines, music, entertainment and an auction created by a brigade of the UK’s leading chefs, including Tom Shepherd, Ellis Barrie, Simon Rimmer, Steven Doherty and The Art School’s Chef Patron, Paul Askew.

Funds raised from the special event will go to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and Hospitality Action.

Matt Davies says:

“Being a chef is the only job I’ve ever wanted to do. After my accident, I was devastated that my life had changed forever and my career was taken from me. But in those dark hours, the solidarity shown to me by my fellow chefs and Hospitality Action kept me going. To have chefs who I’ve always regarded as friends cooking in my honour is humbling and incredibly special. It’s great news we are now able to hold this event in May in Liverpool.”

Paul Askew says:

“My connection with Matt was that not long after Great British Menu in 2017, Matt had invited myself and Daniela Tucci to Stone as guest chefs for a fine-dining event he’d organised. But we arrived to find his team in utter dismay and were told that the tragic accident had happened the day before, and Matt was seriously injured. Since then, Matt has been through countless operations and has had the support of Hospitality Action, whilst being an astounding fund-raiser himself for many good causes, including the hospital which treated him. He’s such a lovely person and we have been friends ever since, and Matt has the respect of the whole industry for his bravery and fundraising efforts. So it’s with great pride we welcome Matt and Hospitality Action to The Art School for this very special event. We have wanted to make this happen for a long time – he’s been to our restaurant a few times as our guest, and we’re going to give him the warmest of welcomes on Thursday, May 21st.”

Simon Rimmer says:

Matt is one of the genuine stalwarts in the industry. What he tragically experienced, has battled through over the years and then inspired so many others during this time is nothing short of a miracle and he continues to make a difference for so many people, raising money and awareness for key causes. So this event at The Art School in May is all about Matt and to honour him and raise money for the hospital which supported him and for Hospitality Action. We all love him and I know this is going to be a truly special evening for Matt.”

The charity Hospitality Action is set up to support staff across hospitality including the UK’s chefs, waiters, housekeepers and managers, to the concierges, receptionists and kitchen porters, and every sommelier, bartender, catering assistant and cook. It offers vital support for people in the industry impacted by illness, mental health, financial difficulty, and family problems to addiction.