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

Prestwick Golf Club’s chef is putting his decades of experience to good use, with a cookbook raising money for two local charities.

David Bennet's 40 Courses for 40 years has sold a thousand copies since it was released late last year, raising over £13,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity and The Ayrshire Hospice.

A personal project for the chef

Both are causes close to David’s heart, due to the treatment the charities provided to his late wife

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.”

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.

Book details the cuisine, and history of Prestwick Golf Club

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.

David's hard work is much appreciated

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.”

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