A brand new fundraising evening hosted at East Afton Farmhouse has raised £12,000 for The Burnt Chef Project, marking the first-ever Monochrome Monday event on the Isle of Wight.
Held on Monday 19th January, the black-and-white themed evening was organised by Alex and Laurel from Eat Street, alongside Damian from Artisan Café, Ramona from Stripped Brasserie, Dan from Harvey Browns, and Seb, who works in local mental health services.
The sold-out event featured a 5-course menu with each dish inspired by a different continent, reflecting the international reach of The Burnt Chef Project – a charity that supports mental health in the hospitality industry.
Guests were welcomed with a glass of bubbly from The Unknown Bar Company and live music by the Freshwater Ukulele Group before being seated for dinner. The evening was formally introduced by Kris Hall, CEO of The Burnt Chef Project.
The venue was styled with centrepieces from Finishing Touches, black napkins by Oakland Occasions, and printed menus courtesy of Prime Design & Raven Print. Guests also received goody bags filled with donated gifts from both local and mainland suppliers.
During a live set by Ben Stubbs, diners enjoyed a globally-themed menu featuring lamb arepas, short rib ramen, crab cakes, pig cheeks and puff puff – a West African-style doughnut. The meal concluded with handmade petit fours by catering students from the Isle of Wight College and coffee from Jasper’s Coffee.
Richard Quigley led a lively raffle and auction featuring prizes such as local vouchers, family experiences, and stays at 5-star hotels. All prizes were generously donated by local businesses and supporters.
Alex and Laurel have said:
“Monochrome Monday exceeded all our expectations. To raise £12,000 in one evening is an incredible achievement, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors, donors and every single person who attended.
“The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was truly heart-warming to see so many people come together for such an important cause.”
All funds raised will go directly towards supporting hospitality workers with mental health training, resources and support services. Due to the success of the evening, a follow-up event has already been scheduled for 2027.
All contributors to the event kindly donated their time, goods or services to support the cause.
