RAVINDER BHOGAL TO HOST JIKONI’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER AND ONLINE AUCTION IN COLLABORATION WITH EMMA FREUD OBE

On Sunday 10th September award-winning chef, author and activist Ravinder Bhogal will host Jikoni’s annual fundraiser at the restaurant in Marylebone, in collaboration with Emma Freud OBE. The evening will raise vital money for the St Mary’s Children’s Fund by the Imperial Health Charity, supporting better facilities at the Grand Union Ward in St Mary’s Hospital that serves London and seriously ill children all across the UK. Ravinder and Emma have brought together a rare and exciting list of experiences with key arts and hospitality figures (see below) to be auctioned publicly online in the month leading up to the dinner at Jikoni.

The hospital in Paddington is close to Jikoni, and the ward, which treated over 500 children last year across the UK, is dedicated to the treatment of children who suffer from rare blood disorders which require bone marrow transplant or regular blood transfusions, such as Sickle Cell Disease and Beta-Thalassaemia. It is a place where the children of dear colleagues and friends of Ravinder’s have spent significant periods of time as in-patients in isolation. Money raised will support several redevelopment projects and patient experience programmes within the ward, including play and sensory equipment and art and music therapy, to help alleviate the oppressiveness of being unable to leave a hospital ward.

Priced at £150 per ticket (all of which goes to the Children’s Fund), the evening will feature a feast from Ravinder’s new book Comfort & Joy. She will also be in conversation about the book with Emma Freud with signed copies available to purchase on the day in support of the charity. Highlights from the menu include Burnt courgette and cardamon with saffron sheermal; Hot and sour sweetcorn risotto with lime leaf butter; and Iles flottant with saffron, cardamom custard and pistachio praline. Drinks are being kindly provided by Fortnum and Mason and Modal Wines.

The experiences being auctioned off in the month build up to the event include:

A framed cell from Love Actually signed by Richard Curtis

An evening for ten at Quality Chop House with British wine critic Jancis Robinson

“An audience with the King” with hospitality icon Jeremy King

A bespoke batch cocktail delivery from the world’s most decorated bartender, Ryan Chetiyawardana and two tickets to the Mr Lyan exclusive 10th Birthday preview at Sea Containers London

A printout of an unmade, unfinished script of Blackadder which has never been published, also signed by Richard Curtis

Going on a review with the Evening Standard’s Restaurant Critic Jimi Famurewa

A three-hour recording session with composer Nitin Sawhney at his studio in Brixton

On the dinner Ravinder notes, “My two editors and dear friends Mina and Al coincidentally both have young children who suffer from Diamond Blackfan Anaemia, an extremely rare blood disorder which affects only around 100 patients in the UK. It means they have needed blood transfusions every three weeks since birth. I am in awe of their resilience and their brave children. This year, Mina’s daughter Vida had a bone marrow transplant, and having spoken to her about the challenges faced by children and parents on the ward, I knew I wanted to do anything I could to help. Our fundraisers at Jikoni always give back to our local community and St Mary’s is a vital part of it.”

Imperial Health Charity Chief Executive Ian Lush OBE goes on to say: Through the fund we can provide extra support for young people receiving care and treatment for a range of life-threatening injuries, illnesses and conditions at St Mary’s Hospital, including children’s cancers and bone marrow transplants. We’re really grateful to Ravinder, the team at Jikoni and everyone attending the event for supporting this work and helping us give every child the best possible experience at St Mary’s Hospital.

Tickets to the fundraiser and the silent auction prize can be purchased here.

For more information, please contact alicia@gemmabellandcompany.com.