Masterchef finalist Sara Danesin Medio is taking part in a fundraising event in aid of the intensive care unit at York Hospital where she used to work.

Sara will prepare a special dessert using Alphonso mango for the event at the Bengal Brasserie on July 12 and hopes to be joined by her fellow Masterchef contestant Jackie Kearney from Manchester.

Italian-born Sara quit her job as an intensive care nurse at York Hospital to forge a career out of cooking.

She handed in her notice earlier this month, after Masterchef judge John Torode told her and her fellow finalists to “go out and make the most of your talent”.

“It’ll be great to meet everybody at the Bengal Brasserie on the night and better still if we can raise some money for a very worthy cause,” said Sara.

“The money raised will hopefully go to buy equipment for the ICU at York Hospital, to fund nurses training or specialised training.”

Sara, 40, was a runner-up in this year’s TV show. About 8.7 million people watched the final, in which she prepared chocolate ravioli. It has given her a profile and opportunities she did not want to waste, she said.

She plans to capitalise on that profile by launching a dining club at her home in St John Street in early July, cooking meals for up to 12 paying guests at a time. She also plans to launch cookery classes later in the year and provide private catering.

The fundraising event will be held in two sittings, one at 6pm and another at 9.15pm, costing £20 per head excluding drinks, £15 of which will go to charity.

To book a table phone, 01904 640 066.