The winner of TV cooking contest Masterchef prepared dishes at a Christmas lunch to raise funds for a brain injury charity in Lancaster.
Tom Rhodes, who won the BBC1 show in 2021, joined members of the local community in gathering at the Lancaster House Hotel for a festive fundraising lunch to support Headway Lancaster & Morecambe.
The lunch, which included a Panna Cotta dessert prepared by celebrity chef Rhodes, was followed by a Q&A session and demonstration in which the Masterchef winner taught attendees how to make a selection of Christmas canapes.
Tom won the show last year while working as an assistant manager at fast food chain Nando's.
He blew away the hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode with his amazing food, described as "absolute genius dishes".
Headway Lancaster & Morecambe is a branch of Headway, the brain injury association.
The branch provides vital support to its members in the local community who have an acquired brain injury.
An acquired brain injury can happen to anyone at any time. Some, but not all of the types of brain injury include traumatic brain injuries such as penetrative or closed head injuries and concussion, strokes or brain tumours.
Brain injuries can be life-changing for both those who suffer them, and those around them. With the support of volunteers, the branch runs an allotment project, adventure centre visits, community walks and drop ins for its members.
Here is Tom (right) with Tony Wright, a volunteer with Headway Lancaster & Morecambe.
The funds raised at the event, which was sponsored by AKA Case management, Simpson Millar Solicitors, HomeInstead Salford, and Kate Whenray De Palma, will go towards making Headway’s community allotment more accessible for its members.
Janet Staff, chair of Headway Lancaster & Morecambe said: “Our Headway event at Lancaster House Hotel was simply amazing. Tom Rhodes certainly made the day and guests were dazzled by the generosity of sponsors and the fabulous raffle prizes donated by our many supporters. The funds raised will be used to make our allotment even more accessible for 2023 with new raised beds on the shopping list!”
Tom said: “It was wonderful to be invited to come along and support Headway Lancaster & Morecambe today. It was great to be asked to cook and get the chance to show people some of my favourite Christmas canapes in support of a great cause.
For more information about Headway Lancaster & Morecambe see the website here.
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