Take 10 chefs, 13 stars, and serve

Top cooks are famous for their rivalry but 10 of the world's most renowned chefs, with 13 Michelin stars between them, have agreed to co-operate to create what is being billed as the greatest meal of all time.

The chefs, half from this country and half from France, have also agreed to put their national differences behind them to form the most glittering constellation of culinary talent ever assembled in one kitchen.

They will converge on Claridges hotel early next month to prepare the "entente cordiale", a five course feast for 150 celebrity gourmands.

The event, which aims to raise funds for children's charity SAND (Stillborn and Neonatal Death), is the brainchild of Claridges' maitre chef John Williams.

The organisers have resisted the temptation to invite celebrity cooks like Jamie Oliver and Gary Rhodes in favour of serious chefs running some of the world's best kitchens.

"One Michelin star indicates a very fine restaurant. Two means outstanding and three means world class. We will have 13 Michelin stars glittering in the kitchen of Claridges on 2 February. This really is going to be exceptional," said a spokesman for the organisers.

One of the most recognisable names is that of Brian Turner, who has won two Michelin stars for his restaurant Turner's in Knightsbridge. He will be joined by Paul Heathcote of Heathcote's Brasserie in Preston, who also has two of the coveted stars.

The other British chefs are Paul Gaylot, executive chef at London's Lanesborough Hotel, and John Williams and Andrew Bourne of Claridges.

The French contingent will be led by Emile Jung who has three Michelin stars - the maximum number - for his restaurant Au Crocodile in Strasbourg.

Gerard Besson, proprietor and chef at Chez la Vieille in Paris, has two stars, Michel Bordin has one star for each of his two restaurants at London's Connaught hotel, and Michel Roth also has two Michelin stars for his fashionable Parisian establishment.