On 15th March, Green & Fortune hosted its fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day lunch in aid of two charities, Hospitality Action and The London Irish Centre. The success of 2024’s event in raising the largest sum yet, of £68,000 brings the total raised to date to nearly £190,000. Underlining Green & Fortune’s commitment to playing an active role in the communities in which it works.
The lunch was attended by over 200 guests from the hospitality and catering industry as well as the Irish community in London and took place at Green & Fortune’s King’s Cross based venue, Kings Place Events and Rotunda Bar and Restaurant.
Funds were raised by a raffle, auction, sweepstake and this year for the first time a silent auction too, which also facilitated a live donation page. In addition, 50% of ticket sales contributed to the total.
A Black Velvet and Boatyard Gin cocktail reception was followed by an Irish inspired menu of ‘Cured salmon, crispy boxty potato, crème fraîche, Exmoor caviar, baby watercress’ a main course of ‘Bacon chop, savoy cabbage, spring carrot, mustard cream sauce, nettle and spring onion colcannon’ concluding with ‘Irish rarebit, celery cress’ and a mini pudding selection of ‘Apple, ginger and whiskey tartlets, whipped cream, Dark chocolate and Guinness cake and Mini shortbread three leaf clovers’. Accompanied by wines sponsored by Alliance Wine.
Chris Mitchell and Robbie Laidlaw who completed the World’s Toughest Row, a 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic took to the stage to regale attendees with stories from their challenge. The funds raised from this year’s event mean the duo have now surpassed their £250,000 Spirit of Hospitality target in aid of Hospitality Action. The £34,000 from this event combined with funds raised at 2023’s lunch mean that 25% of this target has been raised by Green & Fortune.
A live sing-along of Irish favourites from band The Craicheads were a returning highlight this year, with them continuing to provide the entertainment at the after-party from 5pm.
The event was supported by several sponsors with the principal sponsor once again being Troika Recruitment. Options Great Hire provided all the tableware, Kelsi programme printing, OMD Design programme artwork and drinks were provided by Alliance Wine, The Boatyard Distillery and Hinch Irish Whiskey.
Green & Fortune Chief Executive John Nugent comments “Friday’s event represents many things for Green & Fortune. Clearly raising funds is important. Bringing people together and creating the environment that allows people to support our various communities is key. This lunch creates this space, and I am grateful for the support given to it by all who attend, donate and get behind these two great charities.”
