Who are The Burnt Chef Project?
The Burnt Chef Project, founded by Kris Hall, is a support system for those working in the high-pressure, demanding world of hospitality and food service. This initiative focuses on mental health and wellbeing, a topic often overlooked in the fast-paced world of restaurant life.
The Burnt Chef Project encourages open conversations about mental well-being and provides a safe space for chefs and hospitality professionals, including the wider industry such as equipment manufacturers, to share their struggles without fear of judgment.
The work they do is vital as they address mental health challenges head-on. Kitchens, known for their high-stress environment, take a toll on chefs’ well-being due to long hours and intense pressure. The project sheds light on struggles, such as anxiety and burnout, and promotes vulnerability and self-care.
It is crucial that we undertook this challenge not only to raise funds for such an incredible cause but also to increase awareness about an amazing organisation that often goes unnoticed.
CHEFTOP-X™ goes where no combi oven has gone before...
On Saturday, June 29th, 2024, a group of 25 determined climbers gathered at the base of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. Strapped to a custom-made frame, the 10-grid CHEFTOP-X™ combi oven weighed over 140 kg.
As they tackled the pony track on one of the mountain’s busiest days, the team encountered a series of challenges: narrow paths that demanded careful navigation, steep drops that tested their determination, gates, stiles, and even river crossings that slowed their progress to an average of 1 mph. Yet, they persevered, ascending to an impressive altitude of 1,100 meters which took a gruelling 7 hours, higher than any point in England or Wales.
Working in groups of six or eight, the team rotated, ensuring the oven continued its ascent, and at the end of the climb, they proudly held a flag in support of key sponsors, including Caterglobe, Latitude Leasing, Dewberry Redpoint, Nimlok, Eat PR & Marketing, Thomas Franks, HRC, Casual Dining Show, Foxton Budd, Keith Elkington Transport, Gratte Brothers, and The Bread Factory.
However, safety remained paramount. When weather conditions closed in and time grew scarce, the decision was made to halt the ascent, and the oven was unveiled 245m from the top.
A huge achievement for the hospitality industry
By the end of the day the team had raised over £11,000. And with Unox S.p.A. (Italy) matching that amount, the total contribution to The Burnt Chef Project exceeded £22,000.
The funds raised are going towards crucial support for those struggling in the hospitality industry. Services such as call hotlines and tailored mental health training, to develop people’s understanding of wellbeing subjects, and to build confidence and skillsets of managers. It also provides vital support networks, emphasising community and creating safe spaces to remind hospitality industry professionals they are not alone. Some other services this amazing charity offer are their Employee Assistant Programme (EAP) that provides counselling and their Thrive wellbeing app.
Scott Duncan, Managing Director at Unox UK, reflects on the experience:
“I’m incredibly proud of every single person who’s helped us to undertake this remarkable challenge. From those who scaled the mountain, carrying a full-sized combi oven in every conceivable weather, to those who supported us with logistics, fabricated the frame used to carry the oven and of course, those who have sponsored and supported us. By the day of the challenge, we had already raised more than £11,000 – a figure that will be matched by our parent company, Unox S.p.A. and go to support the incredible work of The Burnt Chef Project.
While we are disappointed not to make the summit as planned, the team should be immensely proud of their achievement – taking a professional combi oven to 1,100m above sea level – higher than any point in England or Wales. Ultimately, safety must come first and with the weather throwing everything at us, with the team managing injuries and time against us, the decision was made to stop. We also took inspiration from our friends at The Burnt Chef Project – understanding wellbeing of the team was significantly more important than reaching the summit.”
Nicola Michelon, CEO of Unox, emphasised the importance of mental health within the culinary industry:
“The Burnt Chef Project is a fantastic cause and mental health is something that is of huge importance, especially within our industry. We have been partnered with the charity in the UK for more than two years, growing our partnership internationally as The Burnt Chef Project has transformed into a global charity organisation.
That is why Unox has decided to match the amount that the UK team has raised, taking the total amount raised for The Burnt Chef Project to over £20,000.
I am incredibly proud of the Unox UK team and its achievements with this challenge. Not only have they taken our Unox CHEFTOP-X to new heights, but they have raised an incredible amount of money and awareness in support of The Burnt Chef Project and mental health.”
Kris Hall, Founder and CEO of The Burnt Chef Project concludes by saying:
“I'm so proud of the team for their incredible efforts in taking an Unox oven from sea level up to 1100m, even after travelling up to 10 hours just to reach the Scottish Highlands! This ascent was gruelling without the added challenge of navigating rocky paths, walkers, and crevices with a metal fabricated stretcher and a giant commercial oven! This pushed the team through mental and physical endurance, but they didn't give up!
To put this into context imagine carrying the same emotional and mental load living with mental illness day after day and continuing to get up and put one foot in front of the other. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Remember that mental health matters just as much as any summit conquered.
