Ashton Gate to host huge gourmet food and entertainment event for charity
Ashton Gate Stadium will play host to the second Anti Banquet event next year. Taking place on March 27, 2025, the exclusive gourmet charity dinner and entertainment event will help fight 'food insecurity' in the city by raising funds for local food charities.
Described as "not your typical charity dinner", CEOs and business leaders will swap their suits for aprons, working in the kitchen alongside Bristol's finest chefs. While attendees - including emergency service personnel, charity workers, and those who rarely experience fine dining - will be treated to a night of gourmet food and entertainment.
Sponsoring companies will each be given a table to donate to a good cause or to use for team members who wouldn't usually get to attend such events. Tickets for the event cost from £400 for a pair (with a drinks package and entertainment included), right the way up to between £2k (for a table of 10) and £15k for top-end sponsors.
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In 2024, the Anti Banquet raised £117,000, directly funding 21 local causes through the Bristol Local Food Fund, and 2025's event hopes to raise another £100k.
After the 'overwhelming success' of its inaugural event in 2024, next year's Anti Banquet hosts will be Bristol legends Joe Sims and Jayde Adams, while chefs will include Josh Eggleton himself (of The Pony Chew Valley, and Salt and Malt), alongside the likes of Peter Sanchez Iglesias (Paco Tapas, Casa), Ben Harvey (Bianchis Group), and more. There will be a dress code of black and gold.
While the full line-up has not yet been announced, 2024 saw the likes of The Invisible Circus and saxophonist James Morton bring pre-dinner entertainment, with post-dinner live music from Eva Lazarus, The 45's and Bristol-based DJ Safiye. The full line-up for 2025 will be announced in the coming months.
Recipients of Anti Banquet's fundraising efforts so far have included Black Mothers Matter, Travelling Kitchen and Project Mama. These donations provided vital resources for food equity, cooking education and support to low-income families.
This year's event saw more than 60 supporting companies, 50 volunteers and 25 chefs, and organisers believe that, with the huge increase of emergency food parcels and food banks used weekly by Bristol residents, the event is "crucial in alleviating food insecurity".
Each table purchase or donation directly funds local causes, with the 2025 event once again aiming to support crucial food projects. The funds raised provide resources to help Bristol’s most vulnerable residents.
Its co-founder, Josh Eggleton, said: "We're calling on Bristol's business community to step up, not just to enjoy a great evening, but to make a real difference. Every pound raised supports local families, helping to ensure no one in our city has to go hungry."