York Cook-Off 2025: A Night of Fun, Food, and Fundraising!
The 2025 York Cook-Off was a night to remember! Generously hosted by The Cookery School at The Grand, this year’s event saw three corporate teams - London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Anaplan, and Yorvale - go head-to-head in a heated culinary competition, in support of York Women’s Counselling Service (YWCS). Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone involved, we raised an incredible £5,304.50, which will go directly towards providing essential counselling services for women in York.
The Power of Competition for a Cause
With the expert guidance of Chef Tutor Luke Palmer, our teams had one goal: to create the best three-course meal possible, using a carefully curated selection of locally sourced ingredients. From creative menus to table décor, every element of the evening showcased teamwork, passion, and skill.
It wasn’t just about the cooking - teams were competing for a variety of awards:
🏆 Best Table Decoration - LNER stole the show with their inspired use of model trains, adding a unique and personal touch to their dining experience.
🏆 Best Team Culture – Yorvale Ltd stood out for their seamless teamwork and infectious enthusiasm throughout the night.
🏆 Best Plate – Anaplan impressed diners and judges alike with their beautifully presented and delicious lamb shank.
🏆 Most Funds Raised – Yorvale rallied incredible support from their guests, raising the most donations on the night.
Where Does the Money Go?
The £5,304.50 raised will have a real and lasting impact on women in our community. To put it into perspective, this amount secures a confidential counselling room for an entire year, enabling up to 2,460 counselling sessions to take place. It could also fund over 140 professional counselling sessions for women experiencing emotional distress and trauma - or, it could support 22 volunteer counsellors for a year, ensuring more women have access to the help they need.
A Huge Thank You!
Events like this don’t happen without the generosity of many. LNER’s sponsorship meant that every penny raised went directly to supporting women in need. Our amazing food and drink suppliers also played a crucial role, donating high-quality ingredients that helped our teams craft their delicious dishes. A massive thank you to:
The Yorkshire Pasta Company
Herbs Unlimited/Sandhutton Growers Ltd
Cockerills
York Drinks | York Gin | York Distillery
Middletons Hotel
Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery
Elaine Lemm
R & J Yorkshire’s Finest Farmers and Butchers
A special shoutout to Alice Lodge Photography, who captured the magic of the night so beautifully.
Until Next Year…
We are beyond grateful to everyone who took part, attended, donated, and supported York Cook-Off 2025. Your contributions are changing lives, providing critical mental health support to women when they need it most.
Same time next year? We certainly hope so!
