Ayrshire chef’s cookbook raises over £13,000 for local charities

A cookbook launched by the chef at Prestwick Golf Club has raised £13,365 for two local charities.

The publication of ‘40 Courses for 40 Years’ celebrates David Bennett’s 40 years as Steward and Chef at Prestwick Golf Club, which contained recipes for some of the most loved dishes at the club by members, guests and visitors.

1000 copies of the book were sold and profits have been donated to Beatson Cancer Charity and The Ayrshire Hospice following the support they both offered David’s late wife Anne and family when she was diagnosed with cancer.

David said: “I’m so pleased that I’ve been able to produce this book with some much-loved recipes and raise money for Beatson Cancer Charity and Ayrshire Hospice, two amazing charities that were such a huge comfort to my late wife Anne, and to myself and my daughter Rachael.”

 Left to right:  Lindsay McGarvie, Graeme Strawhorn (Assistant Fundraising Manager at Ayrshire Hospice), David Bennett (Chef at Prestwick Golf Club), Morag Cunningham (fundraising director of Beatson Cancer Charity), Martin Cawley (CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity), Pat Lockett (Captain at Prestwick Golf Club), Stephanie McLaughlin (fundraiser at Ayrshire Hospice)

The book features recipes that have made the golf club famous for its hospitality as well as for its world-renowned and historic golf course.

Among the dishes featured are Surf and Moor, Lobster Thermidor and Pimms Cheesecake.

There are also chapters outlining the history of dining since Prestwick Golf Club was formed in 1851.

Martin Cawley, CEO of the Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We are delighted by the success of David’s cookbook. For David to celebrate such an achievement of 40 years' service by contributing proceeds of this special cookbook to two charities is an incredible thing to do.

“Congratulations once again to David for his service and thanks to everyone involved in making this happen.  For our charity to benefit from this project is fantastic. It will help us to support various new services which we are working on this year to enhance our support to cancer patients and their families.”

During his years as chef at Prestwick Golf Club, David has cooked for many famous faces including Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Sean Connery who both played there.

Graeme Strawhorn, Assistant Fundraising Manager at Ayrshire Hospice, said:

“We are overjoyed at the tremendous success of this very special recipe book. We appreciate all the hard work and time dedicated to organising and promoting this book, it means so much to our charity. Huge thanks to everyone who made it happen.

The book is a celebration of David’s first-class cuisine and the history of dining at Prestwick Golf Club and we are honoured to be part of it.

This marvellous amount means we can provide specialist palliative care for patients and their families across Ayrshire & Arran living with life-limiting illnesses.”