Variety Club - The Children's Charity

Variety Club is all about giving back... It has some exciting news that is set to make a real difference to its work in helping those less fortunate.

At the forefront of British hospitality is The Restaurant Association with membership in excess of 10,000, including renowned celebrity chefs and eating establishments across the country.  The Restaurant Association forms part of the BHA (British Hospitality Association).

Variety Club is joining them to launch a new initiative to raise money for two great causes.  It is called MEAL APPEAL.  Meal Appeal couldn’t be simpler – it means that every restaurant that joins will put a £1 discretionary donation onto each bill they raise.  If you consider the number of meals being eaten out, this has the potential to raise thousands of pounds – whilst being very easy and straightforward to administer.  Monies raised will be split between The Restaurant Association’s own charity, Hospitality Action (helping people in times of crisis) and Variety Club Children’s Charity, which is renowned for its inspirational work in helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.

Robert Walton, Chairman of The Restaurant Association, emphasised that this is a great opportunity for the industry to ‘give a little back’ and demonstrate its commitment to two such worthy causes:

“We are urging all our members to join up to Meal Appeal.  I’m passionate for the industry to all work together and really get behind this cause.  We believe that restaurateurs, as well as their customers, will be proud to support the initiative and be seen to make a difference – and what could be a more exciting partner than the Variety Club with which we already have some great synergies.”

Robert Walton has two restaurants himself, The Tamarind and The Elm Tree, both based in Berkshire.  He will be leading the way, signing them both up to join Meal Appeal with immediate effect.

Variety Club is strongly supporting the initiative.  It will be running owner/manager incentives along the way and has donated two tickets for a lucky owner/proprietor and their guest to attend the fabulous ‘one and only’ Variety Club ShowBiz Awards that takes place at the end of November, as a thank you for participating in Meal Appeal.  Regular contributors will be automatically entered into a draw for these tickets.  For the especially enthusiastic, Variety is organising sponsorship schemes to participate in major treks – or even sky diving.

‘The Barker’ magazine will keep readers informed as to new members and how much money Meal Appeal is raising as 2008 progresses.  Variety Club is looking forward to welcoming new members and enjoying real momentum across the year…

Starters

The Tamarind and The Elm Tree will be Meal Appeal’s first fully joined up members.  Owned by the Chairman of The Restaurant Association, Robert Walton, and based along the M4 corridor, both venues promise to be tremendous examples to the rest of the hospitality industry. 

The Tamarind offers an exquisite blend of Bangladesh and Indian Cuisine.  Short-listed for the Craft Guild of Chefs Ethnic Chef of the Year, diners can be assured of a fabulous meal in delightful surroundings.  Situated just off the B329 at Pangbourne, it is fast becoming one of the region’s most sought after restaurants.  Dishes have been specifically created to appeal to all ages.  The Tamarind is also a highly favoured choice for families and Sunday lunches with a difference.

The Elm Tree, based in Beech Hill near Shinfield, is one of the most popular gastro-pubs in the region having built an enviable reputation over the past 10 years.  The perfect blend of good food and excellent environment, in an easily accessible location, makes it the perfect venue for both lunch and evening dinner.

Robert Walton is proud that both venues will be signing up to Meal Appeal as inaugural members:

“The whole team - whether back or front of house - is 100% behind this initiative.  We’ll be inviting customers to participate at their discretion but we’ll be encouraging feedback and looking to enlist the involvement of our friends across their own restaurants.  One of the good things about Meal Appeal is that it’s so easy to administer.  And, if any of my team is keen to participate in a sponsored sky-diving experience, then we’ll be right behind that too, as long as I don’t have to be there to do it with them!”