Housing leaders join charity cook-off for Young Lives vs Cancer

Delegates at last week’s Housing 2026 conference donned their aprons to take part in a high-speed omelette challenge in support of Young Lives vs Cancer.

The live cook-off, hosted by Paul Dolan, Chief Executive of Riverside, saw participants race against the clock to cook the perfect two-egg omelette in the fastest time. Competitors were judged on both speed and quality, with the event helping to raise awareness of the Cook off for Cancer fundraising campaign.

A total of 18 delegates took part with the winner, Catherine Burtle from Peabody, topping the leaderboard after achieving a record time of 23 seconds. The competition raised hundreds of pounds for Young Lives vs Cancer, with further live events planned later this year.

Other housing leaders included: Paul Hackett CBE, Chief Executive of Southern Housing; Rachael Dennis, Chief Executive of Incommunities; Ian McDermott, Chief Executive of Peabody; Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of the Northern Housing Consortium; Andrew van Doorn OBE, Chief Executive of HACT; Susan Faridi, Chief Executive of Eldon Housing Association; Hony Premlal, Chief Executive of Causeway Irish Housing Association; Martin Hilditch, Editor of Inside Housing and Sandy Livingstone, Chief Executive of Onward Homes. In addition, several politicians participated, including former Housing Minister Eddie Hughes and Cllr Simy Dhyani, Deputy Leader of Dacorum Council.

Launched in January, Cook off for Cancer is a year-long fundraising campaign led by Paul Dolan following a bowel cancer diagnosis and recovery in 2024. Drawing on his previous career as a chef – which included a role at Raymond Blanc OBE’s Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons in Oxford – the campaign centres on food-themed events with the aim of raising as much money as possible for Young Lives vs Cancer.

Based across the UK, Young Lives vs Cancer is the leading national charity for children and young people living with cancer and their families.

A wide variety of fundraising events have already taken place, including a £5 meal social media challenge, nationwide Great British Bake Off style events and a World Cup themed series celebrating traditional dishes from each nation. The campaign has also secured backing from leading chefs and restaurateurs – most recently Chef Daniel Clifford of the two Michelin-starred restaurant Midsummer House.

To date, more than £18,000 has been raised through Cook off for Cancer in support of Young Lives vs Cancer.

Watch highlights of the high-speed omelette challenge. Find further information about the Cook off for Cancer campaign.