Whilst doing photography for Veil & Train & my own general practice, I invariably operate front of house at many interesting venues. One event that has become a regular winter haunt of mine, and a charity I am really happy to support time and time again is the St David’s Trust auction & ball.

As the name suggests St David’s is a charitable organisation based in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales. The organisation offers people with special needs the chance to develop and lead their lives in registered properties owned by the Trust in and around St Davids. This allows residents to live as normal a life as possible with friends and family always welcome. With the help of the charity the residents also get to enjoy lots of fantastic social activities amidst the backdrop of the spectacular Pembrokeshire coastline.

Every year the St David’s Care in the Community Trust holds its annual charity auction at some of London’s best known establishments. In the three years that I have attended the functions as photographer, the venues have included Royal Chelsea Hospital, Claridges, and this year The Dorchester.

This year in addition to the usual pleasure of the event there was an exciting culinary twist. The Dorchester kitchens were playing host not only to the home talents of Henry Brosi, Executive Chef of The Dorchester, but also and more unusually, to John Williams head Chef of the Ritz Hotel. I was lucky enough to be invited to capture this powerful fusion of culinary talent on camera and also to document the masterful operation of service as the main course was presented to over 350 hungry guests in the Dorchester ballroom.

Here are a selection of the images from the evening at The Dorchester. If you want to find out more about this superb venue The Dorchester weddings page is a good reference – possibly London’s finest wedding venue.

Please consider a donation to the St Davids Care charity.

Photography – copyright 2008 Ian McGraw LBIPP