Lord Mayor Appeal’s City fanfare
THE run-up to the Square Mile Salute dinner, an annual banquet that raises funds for wounded soldiers and their families, got off to a fine start this weekend with the Lord Mayor’s Parade through the City. Floats and parades through the Square Mile starring a range of causes and supporters, made for a brilliant spectacle.
Chamberlain’s, Leadenhall Market’s iconic fish restaurant (also seafood wholesaler to London’s finest), was in situ supporting the Lord Mayor’s Appeal with a float of its own. It was also celebrating becoming the founding restaurant partner in the Lord Mayor’s Appeal “Fit for the Future” campaign, which aims to promote health for all.
The mainly human float, called Square Mile Salute, included chefs from The Academy of Culinary Arts, City representatives and soldiers from The Household Cavalry, widows and their families.
Mick Flynn, Britain’s most decorated soldier and author of Bullet Magnet (with a forward by Prince William) was among the walkers. Others included John Williams of The Ritz and world-renowned pastry chef Clare Clark, both driven in style by the Royal Automobile Club in a vintage RAC Austin 7. Other gastronomic stars on the Chamberlain’s float included Mark Flanagan, the Queens’s chef; Andrew Turner of Wiltons and Philip Corrick from The RAC.
Anne Donoghue, Chamberlain’s MD, said: “It’s so important to demonstrate what positive things City people are achieving together. We should also remember that many people working in the City today have previously served their country in the forces. As a restaurant in Leadenhall Market, this is our community and many of the people concerned are our customers. Chamberlain’s is proud to support those who have sacrificed so much personally.”
Afterwards, Chamberlain’s toasted the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and the Fit for the Future campaign with a party, at which the great and the good nibbled cod and chips and drank Billecart Salmon Champagne. Nestled in the heart of the Square Mile, glasses clinking amid the lively conversation, guests looked forward to continuing their work for the Appeal with great optimism.
Square Mile Salute banquet 2011 raised £237,000. The next Square Mile Salute banquet will be on 22nd February 2012, led by Raymond Blanc. Tickets for a table of 10 costs £3,500. squaremilesalute.com Morning Wire are proud to be media supporters.