Unox and The Burnt Chef Project scale new heights

An intrepid team from Unox UK has defied the odds and carried a full-size combi oven up Ben Nevis – the UK’s highest mountain. Reaching heights above anything attempted before, the ‘Moving Mountains for Mental Health’ challenge was in aid of the manufacturer’s enduring partnership with The Burnt Chef Project, ultimately raising more than £20,000 for the cause.

After months of training and unrelenting organisation the challenge, which took place in June, saw a group of 25 determined climbers assembling a 10-grid CHEFTOP-X, Unox’s combi oven at the base of the mountain.  Weighing more than 140kg, it was strapped to a custom-made frame and, after a short safety briefing from the mountain guides, the climb began at 6am to make the most of the daylight.

Ascending the pony track on one of the mountain’s busiest days of the year, the team worked together to overcome narrow paths, steep drops, gates, stiles and even multiple river crossings – averaging a mere one mile er hour on the trek to the top. After more than seven hours of relentless climbing, the team passed through 1,100 metres above sea level, higher than any point in England or Wales. As the weather closed in and with time running out, the professional mountain guides consulted with the team and the decision was made to halt the assent on safety grounds. Unveiling the oven to celebrate the astonishing achievement, the team faced another seven hours on the mountain to descend with the oven back to the base.

Raising more than £11,000 by the end of the day, a figure being matched by Unox S.p.A, bringing the total raised to more than £22,000, the money will be used to support the ongoing work of The Burnt Chef Project.

Commenting on the challenge, Scott Duncan, managing director at Unox UK says:“I’m incredibly proud of every single person who’s helped us to undertake this remarkable challenge. From those who scaled the mountain, carrying a full-sized combi oven in every conceivable weather, to those who supported us with logistics, fabricated the frame used to carry the oven and of course, those who have sponsored and supported us.

“While we are disappointed not to make the summit as planned, the team should be immensely proud of its achievement – taking a professional combi oven to 1,100m above sea level – higher than any point in England or Wales. Ultimately though, safety must always come first and with the weather throwing everything at us, with the team managing injuries and time against us, the decision was made to stop. We also took inspiration from our friends at The Burnt Chef Project – understanding the wellbeing of the team was significantly more important than reaching the summit.”

The team, working in groups of six or eight, depending on the trail, rotated every couple of minutes, ensuring the oven continued its move up and then down the mountain. It was unveiled and constructed at the top, where the group planted a flag in support of the key sponsors - Caterglobe, Latitude Leasing, Dewberry Redpoint, Nimlok, Eat PR & Marketing, Thomas Franks, HRC, Casual Dining Show, Keith Elkington Transport, Gratte Brothers and The Bread Factory.

Kris Hall, Founder and CEO of The Burnt Chef Project concludes “I'm so proud of the team for their incredible efforts after travelling for up to 10 hours just to reach the Scottish Highlands! This ascent was gruelling without the added challenge of navigating rocky paths, walkers, and crevices with a metal fabricated stretcher and a giant commercial oven! This pushed the team through mental and physical endurance, but they didn't give up!

"To put this into context imagine carrying the same emotional and mental load living with mental illness day after day and continuing to get up and put one foot in front of the other. Thank you to everyone involved.”

There is still time to support the fundraising effort for this incredible challenge – visit the following link to find out more: https://fundraise.theburntchefproject.com/fundraisers/ambershort/moving-mountains-for-mental-health---unox-uk

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