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Superstar chefs unite to raise funds for bushfire-affected Adelaide Hills

Adelaide chef Duncan Welgemoed is bringing together some of Australia’s hottest food and wine people to raise money for those affected by bushfires.

Adelaide chef Duncan Welgemoed is bringing together some of hottest names in food and wine to raise funds for the Adelaide Hills. Picture: Matt Turner
Adelaide chef Duncan Welgemoed is bringing together some of hottest names in food and wine to raise funds for the Adelaide Hills. Picture: Matt Turner

Rockstars of food and wine are banding together to raise funds for badly affected Adelaide Hills wineries and the CFS, in a series of dinners curated by Africola chef Duncan Welgemoed.

Welgemoed announced on social media following the catastrophic fires that hit the Hills on December 20 that he would auction two, five-course dinners for 10 people, at a person’s home. However, the number of dinners soon swelled to seven as industry friends jumped on board.

“I was really humbled … and proud to be involved with such a passionate bunch of humans to help those who have lost so much,” Welgemoed says.

“A lot of my friends were affected by the fires and a lot of my friends were fighting the fires. I know I don’t have the skills to fight fires but I know how to whip up support from my community and it’s the very, very least I can do to contribute.”

Sparkke at the Whitmore head chef Emma McCaskill will host a dinner for 18 people in the restaurant’s private dining room to raise funds for the Adelaide Hills. Picture: Roy Vandervegt/AAP
Sparkke at the Whitmore head chef Emma McCaskill will host a dinner for 18 people in the restaurant’s private dining room to raise funds for the Adelaide Hills. Picture: Roy Vandervegt/AAP

Among chefs taking part are Ben Cooper of Melbourne cult Thai restaurant Chin Chin, vegan chef Shannon Martinez of Smith & Daughters and Morgan McGlone of Belle’s Hot Chicken, as well as Adelaide’s own Shannon Fleming (Lot 100), Quang Nguyen (Devour, Noi, Shubui) and Emma McCaskill of Sparkke at the Whitmore. Among those slinging drinks are Mark “Reggie” Reginato (Hellbound) and Ollie Morgan (Maybe Mae).

Bidding for the dinners will start at $5000. Proceeds will go to Tilbrook Estate, Vinteloper, CFS and the Adelaide Hills Region Fire Appeal.

“These dinners are once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” Welgemoed said. “Imagine having a world class lunch or dinner, with some of the best chefs and front of house, food and wine, in the comfort of your home.”

The auction will be held at the end of January – click here to register interest.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/delicious-sa/superstar-chefs-unite-to-raise-funds-for-bushfireaffected-adelaide-hills/news-story/9edacccd113400fc8a059fb1518769b6