TV MasterChef Matei Baran is bringing his fund-raising food roadshow to a new eatery in Northallerton next month.
Chef Matei will be cooking up a luxury five course tasting menu for diners at Somewhere Else in Friarage Street on 5 April. All profits will go to The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
The charity is also the beneficiary of Matei’s cook book – Big Chef Mini Chef – which was published earlier this year.
It was inspired by his six-year-old son Armin, who suffers from the disease, and features healthy recipes he and other children helped Matei prepare.
“The reaction to the book has been fantastic,” he said. “People from all over the country have got in touch saying how much it’s going to help them. It’s also so important to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis, which is such a horrible disease.”
Forty-one-year-old Matei, who has been working in the North East since moving from Romania 10 years ago, reached the quarter final of MasterChef in 2016.
Throughout April he is visiting professional kitchens across the North East to cook up treats for diners, sign copies of his book and raise money for a cause so close to his heart.
He has a friend who works at Somewhere Else and when Matei met its owner Marie Cameron she was more than happy to help.
“What touched me is that this is very personal and also it’s the less well-publicised charities – such as the Cystic Fibrosis Trust – which sometimes need more help.
“I’ve got three children. One is epileptic. Another was in and out of hospital when he was little – so I can image how much this means to Matei,” said fellow chef Marie, who has worked at the famous Four Seasons restaurants in London and Sydney.
Somewhere Else, which opened last month, employs six staff and offers high quality food all day in a relaxed environment.
Marie will be handing over her kitchen to Matei on 5 April. Tickets for the evening cost £29.95 and need to be bought in advance from Somewhere Else. Ring 01609 258060.
Big Chef Mini Chef is available from www.mateibaran.com