Scores of diners packed a popular Penzance restaurant this week to enjoy five courses cooked by five top chefs, all in the name of charity.

Senara Restaurant at Penwith College was transformed into a banqueting hall for the Hospitality Action fundraiser in which the local chefs, supported by professional cookery students from the college, prepared a gourmet five-course meal for those lucky enough to have a reservation.

Diners had the opportunity to meet the five top chefs before service as they explained their menu choices - Guy Owen from Idle Rocks, Jude Kereama from Kota Restaurant, Stephane Delourme from The Seafood Restaurant, Tom Brown from Outlaw’s at the Capital, and Stuart Pate from The Seafood Restaurant.

Stephane Delourme said: “We are always delighted to be involved in a project like this with the college.

“We believe very strongly in developing young chefs and encouraging them to have new experiences.

“We love working with young people, giving them confidence to try new things.

“Stuart Pate and I, and all of the Rick Stein Group, are committed to supporting the growth and development of the industry through education and training.”

Stuart Mathieson, representing Hospitality Action, said: “It was an enormously successful evening thanks to the generosity of the industry and of the people in Cornwall.

“The event brought together an extremely talented team of five chefs, some of the very best in Cornwall and the UK, who represent the profession at its highest level.

“The food they produced was simply outstanding. They gifted their time and their talent to support Hospitality Action and, at the same time, they gave the students of Penwith College, who worked so very hard throughout, an unforgettable professional experience.

“The chefs, the sponsors and everyone at the college gave so much to support a charity close to their hearts.

“Hospitality Action are hugely grateful for all of the hard work and planning that went into this event and to all who work in the background to make any event of this kind such a success.

“Hospitality Action offers crisis support to members of the hospitality industry, an industry that continues to grow and thrive here in Cornwall.”