TV bikers bounty

A pair of television cooks who travel the world on their motorcycles created a feast in a Newark restaurant on Friday.

Si King and Dave Myers, from the BBC Two series The Hairy Bikers, prepared a buffet in The White Hart wine bar and restaurant, in White Hart Yard, off Newark Market Place.

A man from Doncaster, who did not want to be named, is believed to have paid £1,800 at a charity auction for the pair to provide dinner for him and more than 20 friends on Friday.

It is understood the bidder chose the Newark bar and restaurant because he liked it when he had a drink there recently.

The auction took place at the Day of Champions at Donington Park in June. The annual event raises money for Riders For Health, a charity that makes sure all health workers in Africa have access to reliable transportation to reach isolated and vulnerable people.

Si and Dave, who have been involved with the charity for a couple of years, previously donated items for the event’s auction but decided to do more this year by donating their time and services.

The pair spent £500 of their own money on produce for the buffet, which included smoked salmon and caviar blinis, which are Russian pancakes made of buckwheat flour and yeast.

They also made bruschetta, crostinis, satay prawn and chicken, chorizo and pepper salad, sirloin steak with caramelised onions, homemade raspberry pavlova, and pistachio and white chocolate brownies.

They visited Pizza Express at The Wharf before buying most of the fresh produce in Waitrose.

Dave, who used to own an antiques shop in Aberdeenshire, said he had visited the Newark International Antiques and Collectors’ fair in the past.

He said: “I did not realise how beautiful Newark is.

“When you come over the bridge and see the castle on the right, it is beautiful.”

Si said: “There were big smiles and a very warm welcome.

“It took us twice as long to get round the supermarket because people kept stopping us to have a look in the basket.”

The owner of The White Hart, Mr Paul Chambers (22) who took over in July, said the former pub was refurbished and became a wine bar and restaurant in August.

Mr Chambers said he was pleased to attract the event and to have such well-known cooks in the kitchen.

He said: “By helping them to raise awareness of their charity they are helping us to raise awareness of how we have changed.”

Si and Dave have just completed 2,000 miles on their motorcycles during filming for The Hairy Bikers Come Home — A Winter Special, which will be broadcast on BBC Two early in the new year.