Blog. The Disciples Escoffier UK Black Tie Gala Dinner and Inauguration
January 10, 2022
We had the pleasure of virtually connecting with Daniel John Ayton, BA (hons), GCGI, FWMCS, FIH. A Culinary Consultant, and chef with almost 30 year's extensive experience in fine dining as well as banqueting.
Daniel Ayton has an impressive, long list of achievements and worldwide recognition for his masterful skills and culinary fines. We focused on Daniel Ayton’s role as a President of The Disciples Escoffier UK and the Gala Dinner he will be hosting on the 7th of March 2022 at The Waldorf Hilton, London. We are delighted they will be fundraising for Hospitality Action. Here is how our conversation went.
Q1: The Disciples Escoffier International is a non-profit association with a worldwide membership of over 30,000. Tell us about the importance of Disciples Escoffier UK for our culinary industry.
Our main goal is to lead a true push for young people to join the hospitality industry and to encourage them to rediscover the desire and motivation to be chefs. To do this, the International Order of Disciples of Auguste Escoffier is working in closer cooperation with colleges, establishing contacts between professionals and students.
The Order also makes a particular effort with students’ parents, in order to explain the dignity of a chef’s job and the considerable opportunities for promotion offered in their companies. Within the disciples Escoffier UK formed in 2007 This work continues with our close partnership with Westminster Kingsway College, the Escoffier room and keeping alive the history linked since 1908 with a consultative committee which included Sir Isidore Salmon, Auguste Escoffier and César Ritz before it was built in 1910.
Q2: You will be hosting a Gala Dinner & Inauguration of Disciples on the 7th of March 2022 at The Waldorf Hilton Hotel, London. An important event in your calendar. Is this event open to all hospitality and what can your guests expect from the evening?
This event is open to anyone one, not only those with a keen interest in gastronomy and great food and wine, but also those who want to give back to Hospitality Action and Springboard. The two great charities we’ve chosen to aid with the event, have supported the hospitality industry over the last two years of the pandemic. Assisting people through redundancies, job losses, daily survival and through all the related mental health repercussions.
Those interested to find out more about the Gala Diner and the exclusively created menu, should visit Disciples Escoffier UK - Events. The evening is special to us for a couple of reasons: it is an Epicurean dinner to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Escoffier’s birth, and also follows one of our “Esprit Escoffier” goals Generosity and Unity - giving back and supporting others.
Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite. At the end of your booking, there will be an opportunity to add a charitable donation, which will be gratefully received. We would love our guests to show their support for our chosen charities, Hospitality Action and Springboard, not only by attending the Gala Dinner, but also bidding in the Live Auction.
Q3: We are delighted that Hospitality Action is one of the chosen charities you will be supporting on the night. Why Hospitality Action?
I have been an avid supporter of Hospitality Action for many years now, helping to raise funds through cycle ride challenges and an abseil down the side of the Royal Lancaster Hotel. However, this year more than ever I feel it is time for us all to appreciate everything that this charity has done for the people who work or have retired within our wonderful industry. The financial and emotional support the charity offers is invaluable, the Employee Assistance Programme gives vital tools to businesses and their management teams on how to support their employees.
I feel there is no better or more appropriate time to say thank you for being here for us. We must show support to our charities, to allow their charitable work to continue. I appeal to everyone who loves the hospitality industry, to join us at our Gala Dinner, bid at the Live Auction and generously donate on the night.
Q4: Tell us more about your fundraising plans during the Gala Dinner?
Our supporters have been extremely generous and have offered some wonderful prizes for the Live Auction. To mention only a few, with more to be confirmed:
A Waldorf package including an overnight stay
An overnight stay in the centre of Paris
Tasting menu at Adam Handling for two with wine
A two-nights fishing trip in Yorkshire
A full Jamón Ibérico
Private Dining for 12 people at Roux at the Landau, The Langham
Four Ball at The Shire London
All the proceeds from the Live Auction will be split between Hospitality Action and Springboard.
Q5: Do you have a short message for the people working in our wonderful hospitality industry.
We strongly believe in Equality and appearance; Knowledge and transmission; Culture and modernity; Generosity and Unity; Escoffier once wrote:
“Cuisine will evolve just as society itself evolves, without ceasing to be an art.”
Disciples Escoffier UK are not just a chef’s society. We have five bands of membership across the professional and none professional spectrum. Our organisation works hard to strengthen and preserve the social fabric of our culinary community:
For further information about How to Become a Member, please go to The Disciples Escoffier UK
Hospitality Action would like to thank chef Daniel Ayton, President of The Disciples Escoffier UK for taking the time to speak to us and for his continued support. We hope The Disciples Escoffier UK Black Tie Gala Dinner and Inauguration are huge success.