The FINANCIAL -- The
high-profile death of a former Jamie Oliver chef has prompted a renewed
effort to combat the stigma surrounding depression within the restaurant
and catering industry,according to Caterer and Hotelkeeper.
Dave Ahern, head chef at Ben's Canteen in south London, is to stage a charity dinner in London in April, following the death of Kevin Boyle, one of the original apprentices in Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant, who was reported missing from Purley, south London in October and whose body was found in Coulsdon last month. Boyle had suffered from depression for 10 years, although his death is as yet unexplained.
The dinner, which aims to raise funds for charity CALM will bring together a string of top chefs to highlight the issue of depression within the restaurant industry. CALM is dedicated to reducing the high suicide rate among young men, currently the biggest killer of men under 35.
Ahern told Caterer and Hotelkeeper Boyle's case highlighted a deeper issue around depression within the catering industry that needs to be addressed.
The charity dinner is set to take place in London on 30 April, with chefs including former MasterChef winner Mat Follas, chef-proprietor of Wild Garlic in Bridport and Russell Brown, chef-proprietor of Sienna in Dorchester, both in Dorset. Mark Poynton, head chef at Restaurant Alimentum in Cambridge, and Ben Spalding, head chef at Roganic in London have also pledged their support.
Former Catey Special Award winner Peter Kay, who is consultant to Hospitality Action's Ark Foundation, the charity devoted to providing awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse within the hospitality industry, welcomed the dinner - although there is no suggestion that Boyle suffered any form of alcohol or drug problem.
No date has yet been set for the inquest into Boyle's death.
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