Action Against Hunger runs life saving programmes benefiting over 20 million people each year, across 49 countries worldwide. As part of their fundraising they held the annual ‘Too Many Critics’ event earlier this week.

Too Many Critics takes some of the towns well known food writers and critics and turns the table, asking them to cook for guests, which includes restaurant owners, chefs and others in hospitality, amongst this years was restaurateur and previous Masterchef contestant Simon Wood.

This years event took place in the newly opened Dishoom, situated in the old Freemasons Hall and it made the perfect setting for this grand event, with me being lucky enough to to be able to attend.

The evening started with a champagne reception from Taittinger and the chance to mingle, for me this was a chance to grab a selfie with Simon Wood and catch up with some other faces including Peter and Elaine Kinsella from Lunya.

Seating then commenced and we had the pleasure of Richard and James from Beastro Manchester, who helped to make the evening a great night out.

As well as dishes, the ‘Critics’ also needed to come up with a cocktail each. Lots of beer inspired ones with the winning milk beer coming from Neil Sowerby. Although I have to say that the slightly stronger tasting option from Simon Binns was my favourite.

With Cocktails well underway, we were then bought a sharing platter of the various starters, these included a Crispy Paneer from Matt White and a Mancunian Cheese on Toast – both were tasty, but Ruth’s edged it and one the peoples choice award.

Mains followed a little later with a foray of dishes. Tandoori Prawns from Emily Heward were full of flavour with ahit of citrus, Saffron Lamb Chops by Louise Rhind-Tutt were succulant, Simon Binns Roasted Cauliflower Korma was creamy (I think he was putting all the punch into his cocktail), but the outstanding and winning dish of the night was Neil Sowerby’s Keralan Fish Moilee, which was full of flavour and big depth of character.

The evening also included the option to bid in a silent auction for a huge range of great treats, before a dessert of Cardamom Panna Cotta from Bill Knott

Overall, the night raised £22,075 for Action Against Hunger – If you would like to find out more about the great work being carried out by the organisation, including its current fundraising for the Cyclone Idai Appeal, you can do so here.