A MAJOR challenge has been been handed backing from the Dee Valley.

Rhug Estate, in Corwen, has supplied PGI Welsh Lamb for this month’s Michelin Chef 24-hour cooking challenge.

This is where 24 top chefs will cook for 24 hours for charity in Amsterdam.

Top Michelin chefs including Sidney Schutte and Chris Naylor will be cooking Rhug Organic PGI Welsh Lamb, which has been funded by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), for diners to enjoy from midnight on February 17 to raise funds for the Red Cross charity.

During the 24-hour cooking marathon, 400 guests will enjoy a special nine-course menu.

Every hour, another star chef, entirely voluntarily, will take their place in the kitchen to prepare three dishes, so each nine-course menu will be prepared by three different chefs.

In all, 72 courses will be served during the 24 hours.

Lord Newborough, the owner of Rhug Estate, said: “Rhug Estate organic PGI Welsh Lamb is favoured by many Michelin star chefs in many different countries.

"It is an honour to be able to contribute our finest quality meat for these top-quality chefs to serve up during this 24-hour challenge.

"Top chefs recognise Rhug as a strong, well-recognised Michelin star brand, which offers unrivalled security of provenance.

"It’s a fantastic cause they are raising funds for and I wish them the best of luck with it all. We’re grateful to HCC for their support.”

Kate Patten, HCC’s export development officer, added: “Top chefs across the world appreciate the quality and traceability of Welsh lamb.

"HCC works with many Welsh exporters and international foodservice distributors to raise the profile of the brand in the lucrative hotel and restaurant industry, so we’re delighted to be supporting this event in Amsterdam which will both showcase Wales’ excellent produce and support a worthy cause.”

Rhug has recently started exporting beef, lamb and chicken to the Netherlands via the distributor ‘Nice to Meat’, who are based in Almere, near Amsterdam, and are distributors for top quality meat products throughout the country.

Through Nice to Meat, Rhug beef, lamb and chicken are available on the menus of some of the finest hotels and restaurants throughout the Netherlands.

Jeroen Hoogsteder, sales manager with Nice to Meat, said: “Nice to Meat is known by the Dutch catering industry for its sharp nose for quality and now also for top organic products.

"Nice to Meat is pleased to add the first organic gold label products in its assortment in cooperation with Rhug Estate.”

More details on the 24-hour chef event are available from www.24h-chefs.com