A celebration of human courage and the spirit of generosity

Event details.

This special luncheon celebrates the incredible story of two brave men, Chris Mitchell, CEO and Robbie Laidlaw, Business Development Director from The Genuine Dining Co who, in December 2023, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean to raise over £250,000 for Hospitality Action.

The Atlantic Challenge is branded as ‘the world’s toughest row’, a 3000-mile mission across the Atlantic Ocean from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean. It’s a dangerous and gruelling journey with rowers facing 20-foot waves and enduring storms that can last for days. Battling the elements and pushing boundaries, it’s a feat that more people have climbed Everest than rowed across the Atlantic. It took Chris and Robbie 38 days, 15 hours, and 3 minutes, but they made it – all in aid of HA. We are truly grateful for their perseverance and dedication.

Join us as we honour their remarkable achievement with an inspirational day, featuring highlights from their journey by Chris and Robbie themselves. We’re delighted to have Team GB gold medallist rower James Rudkin interviewing the duo, alongside a fantastic culinary experience curated by renowned chefs Cherish Finden, Sabrina Ghayour and Adam Thomason. A huge thank you to Green & Fortune for hosting and supporting us along with Restaurant Associates, we are truly grateful.

This is more than just a lunch - it’s a celebration of human courage and the spirit of generosity. With many hospitality industry leaders in attendance, it’s an excellent opportunity to connect and be part of a cause that makes a real difference.

Our featured chefs are:

Cherish Finden
Cherish Finden is a renowned pastry chef and TV personality, best known as a judge on Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals, where her meticulous, no-nonsense approach sets the tone for the show. With over 20 years of international experience, Cherish has won numerous accolades, including Pastry Chef of the Year (2012) and leading Singapore’s pastry team to victory at the 2000 IKA Culinary Olympics. She was Executive Pastry Chef at The Langham and Pan Pacific hotels in London, where she opened her patisserie, SHIOK! Known for her innovation and blending of food and art, Cherish consistently pushes the boundaries of patisserie while proudly representing her Singaporean heritage.

Sabrina Ghayour, Chef and TV Presenter
British-Iranian Chef and food writer Sabrina Ghayour is a multi-award winning, best-selling author who made her name hosting the hugely popular ‘Sabrina’s Kitchen’ supper club in London, dedicated to Persian and Middle Eastern flavours. Specialising in teaching Persian and Middle Eastern cookery classes across the country, Sabrina has become the ‘go to’ girl for Persian and Middle Eastern recipes, history and ingredient wisdom and is often called upon for her expertise and knowledge in the field.

Adam Thomason
A multi award winning chef and Captain of the England Culinary Team. His diverse career has seen him working internationally in Michelin starred kitchens from Sat Bains to Noma as well as leading brigades at Wimbledon Tennis Club & the F1. He is currently the Culinary Director for Restaurant Associates. After winning the coveted Master of Culinary Arts, he went on to lead the national team to victory, winning gold medals in both the Culinary World Cup 2021 & the Culinary Olympics 2023.

With thanks to:

James Rudkin, Olympian, Team GB
James Rudkin took up rowing at the tender age of seven, coached by his dad and is now an Olympic champion. Rudkin broke into the GB Rowing Team in 2017 and made his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, winning bronze in the men’s eight. The Newcastle University graduate is a double world and four-time European champion in the eight. Known within the Great Britain Rowing Team for demonstrating leadership, diligence and attention to detail combined with encouraging others to develop and thrive. Rudkin is passionate about the process of achievement and progress alongside others toward a common goal. Rudkin was part of the men's eight who stormed to gold at Paris 2024 to bring Team GB's rowing tally to eight medals.