Masterchef marvel cooks up a storm to officially open kitchen

9th October 2023

Masterchef winner Dan Lee cooking in the kitchen

Masterchef winner Dan Lee cooked up a winning dish to help Acorns Children’s Hospice launch its brand new, state-of-the-art kitchen.

The renowned chef, who won the final of the hit BBC One show, was visiting Acorns in Birmingham to officially open the newly refitted kitchen to help raise awareness of the charity’s vital care for children with life limiting or life threatening conditions.

Dan served up a Michelin-style butternut squash dish with coriander and coconut to accompany the kitchen’s own Caribbean-inspired lunchtime menu.

“I have known Acorns for a while, and I had the privilege of visiting their hospice and got to see the incredible work they were doing. The main reason I cook is to bring people together and to make them happy, and food is a universal language that everyone can relate to. I wanted to do this at Acorns in Birmingham. Like the charity says, we are all stronger together.”

A long and lasting relationship with Acorns

He added: “It really is a charity that’s close to my heart and I learned of the amazing things it does in caring for life limited children and their families across the region. I would like this to be the start of a long and lasting relationship with the charity.”

Dan, along with employees, volunteers and sponsors, officially opened the new kitchen which was fully refitted thanks to local businesses who kindly donated their time, labour, fixtures and fittings for the project.

Dayrooms Kitchens, of Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, provided all labour and materials to refit the kitchen, while Mr U-PVC, based in Wolverhampton, provided new windows. Bion Electrical, also in Wolverhampton, carried out all the electrical work needed.

Nurse Rachel Price, at Acorns in Birmingham, said: “It was so exciting to have celebrity chef Dan in our kitchen to officially open this special space. Our kitchen and dining area means so much to us and our children and families – bringing so many people together to enjoy food, conversation and feel part of one big family.

“Dan served up such a treat and our kitchen team were thrilled to have him cooking alongside them. Huge thanks to Dan, Dayrooms and everyone who gave their time, hard work and commitment to make today possible. Together, we are stronger for local children and families.”

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions and support for their families.

In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 700 children across the Black Country and wider West Midlands, and almost 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.

Dan Lee visits Acorns in Birmingham to officially open the new kitchen

Acorns needs around £27,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with two thirds of that amount coming from generous donations and fundraising by the local community.

For more information or for interview, photograph or filming opportunities, contact the PR and Communications team at news@acorns.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

Due to the sensitive nature of Acorns care services it refrains from using the words ‘terminal’ or ‘terminally ill’ in its press releases and public communications when describing the children who use Acorns and the conditions that they have. Instead, Acorns uses the words ‘life limited’, ‘life limiting’, or ‘life threatening’. Acorns kindly requests that you respect this in your communications when referring to Acorns Children’s Hospice. Acorns children have a lot of living to do. Thank you.