Guest of honour at Sodexo charity dinner

Sodexo paid homage to renowned celebrity chef Alexis Soyer at a Victoria-themed charity dinner at Westminster Kingsway College earlier this week.

The dinner, in aid of Sodexo's STOP Hunger charity, was hosted by Nigel Barden, food writer and presenter for BBC Radio 2, and was attended by clients, suppliers, charity representatives and members of Sodexo's corporate services team.

During the evening, guests were treated to authentic Alexis Soyer dishes with a modern twist, devised by Alan Shipman - a Soyer enthusiast and marketing development chef at Sodexo. Throughout the evening, tales were told of Alexis's life, his inventions, his books, and most importantly, his food.

The menu included dishes such as a 'Mock Turtle soup', named as such as Soyer had a great affection for them and would never use them in his food.; a canon of lamb in a reform style – Soyer's signature dish which is still on the Reform Club's menu where it has remained since 1846 and cooked exactly as he instructed; and Stilton and rich fruit cake, a Victorian equivalent to our modern-day cheese and chutney.

The event was also attended by FareShare corporate development officer, Helen Fleming. She commented: "Alexis Soyer was an astonishing chef and an early champion for disadvantaged peoples' right to access good food. Celebrating Soyer is an inspired way to raise funds for the STOP Hunger campaign, and to help FareShare tackle food poverty in our communities today".

Words: Maria Bracken

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