A pop-up dining room charity event raised almost two thousand pounds on Saturday evening.

The exclusive five course dinner took place at the Holy Cow restaurant by Manor Farm, in Chilcompton, which is normally only open during the day.

The idea was conceived, created and made into a reality by Rachel Middleton, who runs The Pudding Kitchen on the farm grounds, and Karen Mattick, who runs the Holy Cow restaurant.

The money raised will be split equally between The Grand Appeal, which is the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, and the David Nott Foundation, which, for the last twenty years has been carrying out life-saving surgery in some of the most hostile environments in the world.

Karen said: “It was really hard work, the organising and the cooking, but everybody seemed to enjoy themselves and the money for charity means that it was a real success.”

All of the £60 ticket fee from the diners went to charity, staff gave up their time and the food was donated by local businesses.

Both Rachel and Karen expressed their grateful thanks to their “fantastically generous sponsors.”

The food ingredients were supplied by Arthur David, who normally deliver their produce and groceries. The wine was supplied by BJP Consulting, Sante Wine Imports and the legal practice Thatcher & Hallam, whilst the table settings were supplied by Bath Crockhire.

Some of the special dishes, prepared by Karen and her

team, included Passionfruit Fizz, a gin and orange cured salmon with Yuzu pearls. There was Confit duck leg with port and Cointreau jus and for pudding, a chocolate and raspberry delice.

One of the lucky diners, Sue Sinclair, said: “The food was really to die for, simply scrumptious, but by the time we got to the cheeses and chocolate salami, I could hardly eat another mouthful.”

??When asked whether she would do it again, Rachel said: “Never say never again, but it won’t be next week, that’s for sure!” Malcolm Rigby