Well-known chef Frank Coughlan took over the kitchens at the Arora Hotel in Crawley to prepare a four-course banquet in aid of Springboard, the hospitality sector’s charity which helps to nurture young unemployed into work.
Crawley Town Mayor Cllr Brian Quinn and his wife Sue were among the guests at Friday night’s charity dinner at the hotel to help Frank, from Horley, raise money and to wish him `bon voyage’ as he sets off this week to join the Springboard annual trek to Vietnam. The chef has already raised around £21,000 for the charity. When he is out in Vietnam, Frank will be helping to rebuild a school in the poor province of Ham Yen.
Back in the UK, the Springboard charity will use this money to support 70 people who face hardship and difficulties, giving them a chance to join one of its life-changing programmes.
Frank and his wife Sandra with Crawley Town Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Brian and Sue Quinn, and Arora Hotel Operations Manager Laura Walker“My target was £3,500, but I managed to smash that with thanks to all my friends and supporters within the hospitality sector,” said Frank. “Friday’s dinner at the Arora Hotel was an amazing finale to what has been quite a journey already. A huge thank you to the Arora and its executive head chef Tony Staples and his team for letting me take over their kitchens and helping to make the night such a success.”
Frank is currently the executive head chef of BaxterStorey, overseeing the BA Lounge contract throughout the UK, but has been head chef at an impressive list of high profile venues in his 30-plus year career, including Wembley Stadium, Arsenal and Chelsea Football clubs and the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and has more than 40 catering awards to his name.
He set himself the Springboard challenge after losing 10 stone in weight, which he said “made me feel 10 years younger”.
Crawley Town Mayor Cllr Quinn told guests at the dinner: “It is a pleasure to return to the Arora and experience its excellent hospitality once again, and to be here to support Frank – it is so great to see a former pupil of St Wilfrid’s (Crawley secondary school) doing so well.”