A competitive Cumbrian charity fundraising event makes a welcome return this autumn having missed two years because of the pandemic.

Kitchen Rivals will see business law firm Baines Wilson LLP and Barclays do culinary combat at Lake District Hotels’ Inn on the Lake, Glenridding.

Two eight-strong teams will cook and serve a three-course meal to 90 invited guests who each pay what they feel the meal was worth.

The team that raises the most wins.

This year’s proceeds will be shared by Cumbria Community

Foundation, Carlisle Eden Mind and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s children’s hospice.

Kitchen Rivals has raised £90,000 for Cumbrian charities since 2016.

Joanne Holborn, employment partner at Baines Wilson, came up with the idea as a way of supporting local causes. She will lead the legal team serving the food while head of partnership Sean Logue is in charge in the kitchen.

The lawyers enjoy bragging rights over the bankers as Baines Wilson won the last two encounters in 2018 and 2019.

Barclays is determined to exact revenge – a dish best served cold, of course – at this year’s event on November 10.

Barclays’ relationship director Abi Bailey, a veteran of Kitchen Rivals, leads the chefs while her colleague Graham Duckworth orchestrates front of house.

Abi said: “It’s an excellent event that raises a considerable amount of money for local charities, which is why Barclays is pleased to be involved.

“You’re certainly out of your comfort zone."

There will be a raffle and auction alongside the formal black-tie dinner. Prizes in previous years have included glamping breaks and a trip to Morocco. WCF has already donated a three-night glamping prize again this time.

Businesses and individuals able to donate prizes can email Joanne Holborn at j.holborn@baineswilson.co.uk