They had seen how busy Tenby Lifeboat was throughout the summer, day and night, and realising that the RNLI is a voluntary organisation, felt that they wanted to help in the only way they knew – by cooking for the cause. They persuaded other great chefs to join them, and their plan came to fruition, brilliantly on November 29 at The Salt Cellar.
Between them, Matt and Duncan together with Matt Waldron from Park House, Cardiff, Mark Dowding from the Stackpole Inn, Tom Simpson from The Mooring and Loafley and Richard Browning from Penally Abbey served a sumptuous tasting menu to 45 appreciative diners. The exciting menu was accompanied by an eclectic mix of alcohol ranging from Pinot Noir, to Tenby Brewing co. pale ale, with even a glass of scrumpy thrown in. Everything was delicious and certainly fulfilled the role of a tasting menu, leaving us all wanting to try more from each of these talented chefs.
To make the evening complete, Duncan tried his hand at auctioneering and obviously has a talent for it as the bids came in thick and fast for the amazing lots which included lunch for two at the Michelin starred Ynyshir, a private dining experience for six courtesy of the Creative Catering Company and a flight over Pembrokeshire. To complete the evening, a raffle was drawn with a wonderful selection of prizes, including Sunday lunch for two at the Salt Cellar, Jago headphones, a T.P.Hughes voucher and two limited edition prints.
There was a happy, satisfied buzz in the restaurant which erupted into cheers when it was revealed that the evening had raised £5,000 for the RNLI, and coxswain Phil John was on hand to receive the cheque and express the thanks of all connected with the RNLI.
Of course an evening like that does not just happen without many people to thank. These include the Salt Cellar’s suppliers who provided free of charge, ingredients, drinks, crockery, cutlery, glassware and furniture - Nash Farm Shop, Pembroke, Ritec Valley Organics, WR Bishop, Cardiff, Welsh Truffle Company, Flying Fish Seafoods, Liberty Wines, London, Tanners Wine Merchants, Shrewsbury, Fine Wines Direct, Cardiff, Eynons of St. Clears, Wisebuys, Narberth, CSE Catering and Equipment Hire, Fishguard, Blue Sky Marquees, Castell Howell, Jonathon@ Just Great Designs, Pembroke, Loafley and Andrew Rees, Butchers, Narberth.
The generous suppliers of auction and raffle prizes also included Park House, Cardiff, The Stackpole Inn, Gareth Ward, Ynyshir, Alison K Fowler, Laurie Williams, Jacs Pots, Loafley, John Fisher, Penally Abbey, Café Vista, Gilli, The Caldey Shop, Yeah Buoy Burger, Tenby, John Reason Jones and Deborah Willcocks Floral Design, Pembroke. And thank-you to Michelle of M & Co who not only loaned a mannequin, but dressed him in lifeboat kit too!
So many thank-yous to so many generous people who are all aware of the vital role the lifeboat plays in Tenby. As we write this report we read of a rescue of three people from around our Pembrokeshire shores only last Saturday.
The RNLI fund-raising committee of Tenby thank all of the above, but extra special thanks go to Duncan and Matt, Jade and Helen, for a wonderful idea and a truly amazing evening.