BiteBack Festival has raised an impressive total of £82,000 for Cancer Research UK - smashing a £60,000 fundraising goal.
The festival, orchestrated by Sian Byerley, co-owner of Northumberland's Restaurant Pine, featured fifteen renowned chefs from leading UK restaurants.
The festival was held on June 9 at Wylam Brewery in Newcastle.
These individuals, who had 19 Michelin stars and Green stars between them, offered culinary brilliance in the form of 500 plates each of their street food.
The festival was free of charge with thousands turning out to contribute to the cause.
Funds from the event will directly aid Cancer Research UK’s invaluable work of supporting more than 4,000 researchers, clinicians, and nurses.
These professionals are carrying out vital work to transform the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
Visitors to BiteBack Festival savoured their selected dishes to the backdrop of lively tunes delivered by DJs including Ben Scott and Charlie Younger while drinks flowed courtesy of Wylam Brewery and Northumberland Coffee Co.
From BBQ Herdwick belly on flatbread by Paul Leonard to 'Heston's Meat Fruit' by Kevin Brown, festival-goers were treated to an array of dishes.
The festival also featured an online silent auction with more than 50 foodie and overnight experiences donated by restaurateurs and hospitality businesses.
Lots included a full Day at Our Farm experience from Simon Rogan, private dinners cooked by Si King and Terry Laybourne, and a dine and stay experience for two at Grace and Savour, Solihull.
Ms Byerley said: "We want to thank everyone who has been involved in this year’s event.
"It’s only been made possible by the generosity and hard work of absolutely everyone who has been involved.
"What we’ve all achieved is amazing!"
She then extended her thanks to the chefs, Wylam Brewery, and the myriad of suppliers and businesses who contributed to the event.
She said: ''We’d like to thank the 15 incredible chefs who’ve all volunteered their time for this amazing cause, as well as the amazing folks at Wylam Brewery for providing the venue, the amazing suppliers like Wellocks, Wilde Farm, Crosby's, R & J Butchers, Hodgson's Fish, Sous Vide Tools, VMS, A7 Media, Beyond Design and many more, who have all been massively generous providing support for the event itself, as well as those businesses that have very kindly donated auction prizes to help the event raise more funds for Cancer Research UK.
"What started out as a tentative conversation in 2023 has rapidly grown into something pretty wonderful and indescribable and that’s down to Ian Waller.
"Who like many of us up and down the country has personal reasons for wanting to support the work of Cancer Research UK.
"It’s been a long journey to get to this point but every second has been worth it.
"Now for a well-earned rest for us all and then we’ll have a think about what comes next for 2025."
Every year thousands of adults and children are diagnosed with cancer.
The funding from events like BiteBack assists Cancer Research UK in its mission to provide patients with better treatments and outcomes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here