Chef raises funds for food education space at former school

The chef of a Lichfield restaurant is to kick start fundraising to build a new dining space and food teaching area for students at his former school.

Liam Dillon, owner of The Boat Inn, attended King Edward VI School, Lichfield and found his passion for cooking while studying.

Liam is organising a special dinner on Wednesday 27 April 2022 with proceeds going to the school and their food space plans.

This is not the first community project at the school for Liam. During the third lockdown in 2021, the restaurant 's team delivered their 'Heat At Home ' meals to teachers as a thank you for helping pupils above and beyond during Covid.

Liam said: “It felt special to help my old school last year, re-visiting actually gave me a few goosebumps. The school helped create the platform for my career in hospitality and now I want to help people who find themselves where I was all those years ago.

“It 's great to see the school 's plan to invest in new dining facilities and food teaching space and it feels special to be part of this project that will help many students for years to come. ”

Jane Rutherford, headteacher at King Edward VI, Lichfield said: “The school is fundraising to improve and extend the dining space and social areas for students. We have a fantastic catering team and three food points across the school but as the school expands - by 2023 there will be over 1600 students from Years 7-11 - we need to constantly invest in modernising our facilities and learning spaces. By joining us for dinner, guests will be supporting our plans while enjoying great food. ”

“Liam was kind enough to approach us during lockdown to develop a link as a former student, donating heat-at-home meals for staff on a weekly basis and has kept in touch since. It has been a pleasure to see his reputation spread and for students to see a former student represent Lichfield and the West Midlands on the Great British Menu has been inspirational. ”

“Liam recently spent some time in school and suggested this idea of a fundraising event. It was an easy decision to make and will be hopefully the first of many collaborations that benefit the school. We are already talking about further connections, indeed the school welcomes partnerships across the community, it shows our students that anything is possible. ”

For more information visit www.theboatinnlichfield.com

Pictured (L-R): Liam Dillon of The Boat Inn with Jane Rutherford, Headteacher of King Edward VI School, Lichfield