Celebrity chef Ching-He Huang MBE is returning to Guernsey to support local charity Guernsey Community Savings, hosting another gala dinner at China Red on Saturday 18 October.

During her visit, the renowned TV chef and author will also share her love for cooking in a more unusual setting – Guernsey Prison – where she’ll hold a special demonstration for a group of prisoners on Friday 17 October. 

GCS founder and chair Peter Neville says, ‘It will be Ching’s third visit so we can be confident that the gala dinner will be an unforgettable evening with delicious food and great company. Ching brings such warmth and humanity to everything she does, whether she is chatting with guests at a gala dinner or, as last year, meeting the crew and staff at Grow’s café.

‘In the Year of the Snake, which is all about new beginnings, it seemed right for her to visit Guernsey Prison which does such a great job, with the support of the Creative Learning in Prison team, of preparing prisoners for a fresh start after release, encouraging them to work and to get qualifications.’

Ching-He Huang is an International Emmy nominated, award winning TV chef and cookery author who has been championing, popularising and demystifying Chinese cuisine since 2003. She received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 list for services to the culinary arts.

She has published 11 best-selling cookbooks to date, with the latest ‘Wok For Less’ focusing on traditional, clever ways to reduce costs, without scrimping on taste. Ching will sign copies of ‘Wok For Less’ at the gala dinner as well as popular titles such as ‘Stir Crazy’, ‘Asian Green’ and ‘Wok On’, with the proceeds going to GCS.

Ching says, ‘I am delighted to be returning to Guernsey to support GCS in its charitable efforts to help support those who fall on hard economic times. This Year of the Snake is a symbol of renewal and fresh beginnings, it serves as an inspiration for hope, that individually it is never too late to pursue a noble path, and collectively, communities can unite to overcome challenges and rise stronger together for peace and prosperity.’

Ching’s visit to the island comes as GCS marks half a decade of helping islanders overcome financial and social exclusion. Since opening its doors in 2020, the charity has supported almost 200 people in setting up bank accounts and provided budgeting advice and financial education to hundreds more.

Day-to-day operations are now mainly funded by Guernsey’s clearing banks, following an agreement reached in March this year, but the charity still relies on fundraising to reach out to more people who have been financially excluded. 

Peter Neville adds, ‘We are very grateful to our main sponsor, Kirkwood Properties, to Handpicked Hotels, the Liberation Group and TPA for their support, and to all the local businesses which have generously contributed prizes for our silent auction and raffle.’

The gala dinner is almost sold out, with just two tables remaining which can be booked in full or in part by emailing events@gcs.gg. Tickets for the four-course gala dinner, including champagne reception, are £170 per person.