Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation helped by MasterChef winner

Steven Edwards helped raise £20,500 for the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation at its What a Difference A Day Makes dinner.

The event took place at Brighton and Hove Albion’s Tunnel Club, with guests including last year’s MasterChef: The Professionals winner Tom Hamblet, and Albion supporter Norman Cook, AKA DJ Fatboy Slim.

Guests were welcomed with a glass of Nyetimber Brut Reserve and snacks prepared by Steven, whose restaurant Etch is in Church Road, Hove.

They were then taken on a private tour of the home players’ dressing room and through the tunnel itself before getting the chance to be photographed in the dugout, where Roberto De Zerbi would usually sit.

Steven Edwards in the kitchen (Image: Submitted)

Steven prepared a three-course meal of burrata, served with Farmer Tom’s pickled vegetables and chargrilled sourdough, slow cooked beef with salt baked celeriac and Béarnaise sauce, accompanied by triple cooked chips, chargrilled Hispi cabbage, confit garlic mayo, carrots, black sesame, coriander with a dessert of forced Yorkshire rhubarb with set custard and sorrel ice cream.

One of the charity’s beneficiaries, Charlie Hewson, lost his leg after being diagnosed with cancer at a young age. His mum, Kate, gave a moving talk about how the BHAFC Foundation has made a difference to their lives.

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Charlie and Steven had already met when the chef and his business partner Steve Barrey joined a football session for amputees back in January.

Steven, who won MasterChef: The Professionals in 2013, said: “Tonight’s dinner is my way of giving back to those less fortunate than myself and celebrating the great work that the team at the Brighton and Albion Foundation put in day after day.

"It was great to see Charlie again too, he’s such an inspirational young man whose story deserves to be shared. It’s been fantastic to work with Steve Barrey and the BHAFC Foundation in planning this event and I look forward to working with them again to raise more funds in the future.”

Some of the food on offer at the dinner (Image: Submitted)

Actor Brian Capron, best known for his role as Coronation Street villain Richard Hillman, led an auction that included some money-can’t-buy prizes, such as a specially created artwork by Brighton’s Kim M Artist signed by members of BHAFC’s 23/24 men’s first team and head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, a rare shirt signed from Albion’s first Europa League game and a private dining experience with Steven Edwards cooking at the winner’s home for up to 12 guests.

CEO of the BHAFC Foundation Matt Dorn said: “All of our guests had a great evening, we’ve had some really positive feedback and Steven’s food was fantastic. Events like these are so important for us as a charity, they provide us with crucial funds that help us change lives all over Sussex.

"I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to the dinner, to all of the organisations who sponsored the evening, and of course to Steven, Steve and the team for all of their support.”