From dinners to auctions, here are the best food and wine events raising money for bushfire relief
From once-in-a-lifetime private dinners, to an auction with on-the-spot tattoos of Australian Wildlife, here are some of the biggest events being hosted by SA’s restaurants, pubs and cellar doors.
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Manu Feildel. Melissa Leong. Dave Pynt.
They’re just some of the food royalty who reached out to Adelaide chef Duncan Welgemoed after he announced on social media that he would host two dinners to raise funds for those who’d lost it all in the Adelaide Hills fires.
His concept evolved. Two events became seven. Seven events became 10.
“Everyone approached me to do this thing - I didn’t call anybody,” says Africola’s Welgemoed. “We’re lucky enough to have support from celebs around the world.”
What Welgemoed has curated is 10 separate food and beverage experiences, which are now open
for bidding.
They include The Best of South Australia – a private dinner for 10 people in the bidder’s home, or a venue if preferred, with Welgemoed himself along with Shannon Fleming (Lot 100, Orana), Quang Nguyen (Noi Vietnamese Eatery, Shibui) and James Brinklow (The Lane). Sommeliers Mark Reginato, Meira Harel and Nick Ryan are on the drinks.
New MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong is hosting Friends with Benefits, which brings together talent including Ben Cooper of Melbourne’s ChinChin and Victor Liong of Lee Ho Fook.
Another experience will fly eight lucky foodies to Singapore for a personal experience at Pynt’s famous Burnt Ends, while “Pardon Your French” will reunite Welgemoed with TV chef Fieldel to cook at KarrawattaWinery.
“Manu is a very old friend of mine,” Welgemoed says.
Bidding for the experiences, most of which are for 10 people, start at $5000. “That’s for all the food, the talent and the booze,” Welgemoed says.
“You’d be hard pressed to get that kind of thing in a general restaurant.”
All proceeds will go to two of the hardest hit Adelaide Hills wineries – Tilbrook and Vinteloper, as well as the CFS and Adelaide Hills Wine Region Fire Appeal.
“We’re trying to create that buffer for the growers and particularly the winemakers to sustain themselves this year, because we want them to continue making fantastic products that will be sold throughout Australia,” Welgemoed says.
“They are some of our greatest ambassadors throughout the world.”
Bid online now at app.galabid.com/sabushfires
OTHER EVENTS...
PORT ADMIRAL HOTEL & FRIENDS
Sunday, January 19
Live entertainment, an auction with prizes exceeding $10,000 and on-the-spot tattoos are in store for those who join the Port Admiral Hotel’s fundraising effort on Sunday.
PA’s Angus Henderson is co-ordinating the event along with Kelly and Amanda Mckinnon from Black Diamond Tattoo, who, as well as offering prizes for auction,who will have four resident artists conducting “flash tattoos” of Australian wildlife animals.
All proceeds will go to the State Emergency Relief Fund, CFS, KI Mayoral Bushfire Fund, Red Cross and WIRES Emergency Relief Fund for Wildlife.
“The focus is on SA,” Henderson says. “Every single dollar from every drink sold will be donated, not just profits.”
The event, upstairs of the hotel, will kick off at noon with a gold coin entry, while the fundraiser is at 3pm.
55 Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide, facebook.com/portadmiralhotel
MAXWELL WINES
Saturday, January 25
Head chef Fabian Lehmann is putting an Aussie twist on his six-course degustation menu for this Australia Day weekend dinner, where all proceeds will be going to SAVEM (South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management) and St Vincent de Paul.
Winery owner Mark Maxwell says his family has close ties with Kangaroo Island, “going back to when we would go there for holidays with the kids”.
“Over the years we’ve been buying KI honey to make mead with, and also shiraz for our Maxwell Kangaroo Island Shiraz,” he says. “Sadly, 2019 will be the last vintage. The vineyard has been wiped out.”
Dinner with matching wines is $150. Call to book.
19 Olivers Rd, McLaren Vale, 8323 8200,facebook.com/Maxwellwines
For more fundraising events, visit advertiser.com.au/delicioussa