After a five-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the much-loved charity fundraising event, Devil’s Kitchen, has returned triumphantly to Hull, driven by strong support from local businesses eager to revive this unique dining challenge.
Originally launched in 2009 as HEY Smile Foundation’s flagship fundraising event, Devil’s Kitchen raised over £300,000 and engaged more than 75 businesses and 3,000 guests over the years, making a powerful impact on the Hull and East Yorkshire community. The event sees two teams from competing businesses prepare, cook, and serve a three-course meal to guests, who then score the teams based on atmosphere, service, food, and drink.
This season’s opening battle featured Wilkin Chapman Rollits LLP’s Pink Team narrowly edging out The One Point’s Blue Team with 0.1 of a point between them and raising an impressive £3,433 for Smile. The competition took place at Hull College’s restaurant, Bilocca, with trainees providing invaluable support behind the scenes.
James Marsden and Chris Drinkall, Joint Heads of Office at Wilkin Chapman Rollits Hull, reflected: “Swapping suits for chefs’ whites and aprons to cook and serve a 3-course meal for clients and colleagues was an exciting challenge – and all for a brilliant cause. It was a night full of hard work, laughter, and generosity. We’re incredibly proud to support HEY Smile Foundation and grateful to everyone who made it memorable.”
The second event was the highly anticipated rematch between Barclays UK and Forrester Boyd – Chartered Accountants – hosted at the same venue, with Barclays’ team narrowly winning by one point while raising an incredible £8,134 for both HEY Smile Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK.
Rachel Hay, Partner at Forrester Boyd said, ‘The atmosphere on the night was absolutely fantastic. It was a brilliant opportunity to step outside our usual roles, work as a team in a completely different setting, and have some fun while supporting two very deserving charities. We’re incredibly proud to have taken part and delighted to see such generosity from everyone involved. Congratulations again to Barclays on their win.’
Tessa Wray, HEY Smile Foundation Head of Partnerships, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Bilocca, their team, and our business partners, Wilkin Chapman Rollits, The One Point, Barclays and Forrester Boyd for helping re-establish Devil’s Kitchen. These events bring great food and friendly rivalry together to fuel the greater good, while also providing valuable training to Hull College students. We look forward to the return of Devil’s Kitchen in 2026.”
Devil’s Kitchen unites the local business community in fun, fundraising, and charitable impact. Proceeds support numerous charities and projects that contribute to the wellbeing of Hull and East Yorkshire.
For more details about future events or involvement, please contact events@heysmilefoundation.org.
