Chester Zoo raised nearly £75k at a glittering gala night to save wildlife from extinction. The zoo’s ‘green carpet’ was rolled out for its first ever fundraising gala dinner, generating funds to support its vital conservation efforts in South East Asia…
The black tie event, Under The Canopy, was brought to life by Taylor Lynn Corporation Ltd (TLC) and held in the zoo’s impressive wedding and events venue, The Square. It was attended by 100 of the charity’s supporters and was hosted by TV and radio presenter, Helen Skelton, who also compered a live auction.
Guests joined Chester Zoo scientists, animal care team staff and conservationists who shared updates on the vital work the international conservation charity is doing to protect wildlife in South East Asia, and around the world.
Liz Taylor, Taylor Lynn Corporation and Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo
Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, said: “A million species are under the threat of extinction by 2030. We’re losing biodiversity at an alarming rate and now, more than ever, the natural world needs our help. Everything we do is geared towards giving nature the best possible helping hand and this wonderful event has helped to raise almost £75k, which will support our work to ensure a future where nature not only survives but thrives.
“As a world-leading conservation charity, we rely on the support of our community—from visitors and members buying tickets, to couples booking their weddings here, to the businesses who stand alongside us. This support contributes to protecting endangered species, driving global change, and inspiring millions to take action. It’s this collective commitment that fuels our ambition and enables us to create a future where wildlife can survive and flourish.”
Chester Zoo Gala gave guests a chance to connect, discover and see the animals
The immersive experience focused on creating a journey of discovery, wonder and connection, witnessing first-hand the stories and seeing the animals within a private tour of the zoo. The evening began with British-themed canapés and English sparkling wine, under the watchful eye of the greater one horned rhino grazing in the paddock, before Chester Zoo’s experienced guides whisked guests away on their “buses” for an encounter around the zoo. To acknowledge this experience bespoke cocktails were served at the various stops and presented in an array of sustainable drinking vessels.
On the encounter guests were introduced to some of the world’s most endangered species and the passionate conservationists who are fighting for their survival. Animals on the tour included the critically rare Sulawesi crested macaques, the largest lizards on the planet the Komodo dragons, the stunning but tiny jewel wasps as well as getting the inside scoop on a crocodile feed.
Chester Zoo Gala dinner carried the wildlife theme
The subsequent four-course gala dinner was hosted by television presenter and BBC Countryfile favourite, Helen Skelton. Fine-dining caterers Hessian imaginatively brought South East Asia to the table with dishes exploring the rich culinary heritage of the cuisine from 7 Spiced Duck Breast with Grilled Mango, Date and Tamarind Ketchup, Crispy Noodles, Butternut Squash Laksa to the Borneo-inspired Baked Brill in Kombu with Scallop and King Prawn Tortellini, Lemongrass and Coconut and much more. Their mantra: Eat with Your Eyes!
On arrival into dinner African entertainment specialists The Drum Café created an immersive welcome with every guest joining the world-class drummers with their own drums placed on each seat. The evening also included a silent auction to raise funds to protect the future of all the animals that the zoo cares for (over 500 species), with prizes that include the chance to be one of the first to stay in the zoo’s new luxury safari-style resort opening next year.
Sponsors of Under the Canopy included, Britain’s leading retailer of fine jewellery, Boodles, leading structural steel engineering group Hare, and Silverhand Estate, the largest and arguably the best, organic vineyard in the UK.
Taylor Lynn Corporation was behind the Chester Zoo Gala hospitality
Event design and management was provided by TLC which included lighting, production, floral design and every detail that created this inaugural night with canapés and food by Hessian the UK’s newest and most exciting fine dining company.
