DORSET’S Seafood Festival is highlighting mental health stigma within hospitality through a partnership with The Burnt Chef Project.

SEAFEST, which will be held in Weymouth next month, has teamed up with the project, a registered non-profit organisation, which 'aims to save lives and modernise the hospitality trade'.

The festival returns for its 15th year on the weekend of September 10 and 11 with an impressive line-up of chefs already announced.

The partnership with The Burnt Chef Project will see James Burger and Matt Budden, ambassadors for the project, demonstrating on stage with a show in the style of ‘Ready Steady Cook’.

Kris Hall, founder of The Burnt Chef Project, said: “We're thrilled to have been invited to join the incredible team down at SEAFEAST this year, educating those outside the industry about some of the difficulties hospitality professions face is just part of paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable place of work.

"Our Ambassadors play a very important role in the work we do here at The Burnt Chef Project and we're looking forward to spreading awareness and challenging the stigma of mental health within the SEAFEAST community.

"I'm sure the very talented James and Matt will certainly give you a cook off to remember!”

A spokesperson for SEAFEST: The Dorset Seafood Festival said: “James, head chef at Butcombe Brewery, made his debut at the festival last year and we are delighted to have him back.

“We are constantly reminded that mental health is just not talked about enough and that people feel that they can’t reach out.

"The Burnt Chef Project was set up in 2019, specifically to support the hospitality trade.

"Long antisocial hours, tough environmental conditions and pressures to perform are just some of the issues that hospitality professionals are fighting against on a daily basis.

“Matt Budden has been involved with the Festival for many years and is the Executive Head Chef at Schpoons & Forx in Bournemouth. Matt and James shall be treating us to a cook off whilst telling us all about The Burnt Chef Project."

The Festival is one of the most celebrated weekends in Weymouth’s event calendar and helps to raise money for The Fishermen’s Mission; the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical and emotional care.