Ollie Dabbous, Michelin-starred chef and protégé of Raymond Blanc, is getting his teeth into a charity-led project at London Zoo – and tigers will be present.
Dabbous is developing a special three-course menu for a fundraising dinner that will include encounters with the attraction’s tigers, wallabies, kangaroos and more.
The event has been organised by bespoke catering solutions agency Ampersand and proceeds are going to Hospitality Action, a charity that helps support members of the hotel and restaurant industry who fall on hard times.
“I was approached with the idea for the event by Tim Jones and Bill Toner from CH&Co Group, the parent company of Ampersand,” says Dabbous. “They asked and I said yes, very simply because it’s a good cause, they’re nice folk at Ampersand and it sounded like fun, both for me and the diners. Of course, there is always a challenge when you are cooking away from your own kitchen, but by being smart with the menu and organisation, you can make things more manageable.”
Dabbous, dubbed the “most-wanted chef in Britain”, worked under Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and at the Fat Duck and Noma. He opened his eponymous award-winning restaurant in London in 2012 with business partner Oskar Kinsberg – and two years later the duo launched their second venture, Barnyard in Fitzrovia.
The charity dining event will incorporate different elements of the London Zoo attraction, including the opportunity to enjoy Indonesian and Australian-themed areas.
“Guests will enjoy a champagne and canapé reception overlooking Tiger Territory,” Dabbous says. “On the way over to the Mappin Pavilion, where dinner will be served, guests will be able to feed and have photos taken with llamas.”
It’s not the first time the star chef has prepared a menu for an unusual setting. In June, he led a pop-up restaurant for a charity event at Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries to coincide with a British art pre-sale exhibition. Designing the dishes for the tasting menu, Dabbous was inspired by the shapes and colours of the artworks on show. This time, however, he won’t be taking inspiration from the surroundings.
“I haven’t taken inspiration from the zoo itself. I’m just focused on serving delicious, seasonal food. Given the location, there will be enough sights and sounds going on all around the diners. Making the food themed as well may feel like overkill.”
Tickets cost £135 ($175, €157) per person and are available at hospitalityaction.org.uk. The event takes place on 27 September.
