Thanks to these superstars who collectively raised 20k at the first of 3 outstanding Food for Thought events last Monday in Brisbane.
The event was SOLD out days before and these are the awesome magicians who gave their time, their creativity and support - Thank you
Chef Mal Meiers - from Subo/Food for Thought
Chef Scott Webster- from Billy Kart
Chef Will Cowper - from OTTO Brisbane
Chef Ben Williamson - from Gerard’s Bistro
Chef Shayne Mansfield - from Botanica
Chef Zac Sykes - Celissa/Beirne Lane
Sommelier Kate Christensen - Founder Food + Wine Popup
And Sydney tonight is your turn, want a ticket? Here's the link be quick!
Melbourne -last not not least your event is next Monday here's the link
What is "Food for Thought?" It's a coming together of hospitality excellence to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. Since 2014, the annual Food for Thought charity dinners, have founded a unique collaboration of emerging and talented hospitality professionals to create exceptional dinners for a higher cause.
The core theme to Food for Thought is encouraging conversation around the dinner table or through hospitality to ease the weight of the stigma around mental health. “These dinners were sparked by my own experience, having personally faced this. My hope is to help broaden the awareness of the support that’s available – to not only my peers, but to the wider community, for all those who suffer in silence.” Says Mal Meiers In 2018, off to back of the first international event in Auckland scheduled for October 21st, the concept will evolve to include not only emerging hospitality talent but include established chefs to mentor and make a unified statement that as an industry we are ready reconnect with one another and start a conversation that could change a life.
This November's Food for Thought events aim to bring the industry together as one through the introduction of the mentor program in Sydney as well the involvement of both established and emerging chefs across the other events. Brisbane and Melbourne this year will host tasting menu style events in each city with the help of Australia’s best producers across its food and beverage offering put together by some the best professionals each city has to offer. This years, Sydney event will see executive and head chefs from venues like Quay, Bennelong, Aria and Icebergs mentoring Food for Thought chefs to show that as an industry we are taking the issues surrounding mental health seriously. The night will see Food for Thought chefs recreate a dish from some of the mentors as the canapes served, as well as the introduction of the targeted industry R U OK? hospitality campaign and training resources the 2017 Food for Thought campaign helped fund. From 2018 on wards, all moneys raised by Food for Thought will go towards continuing to help R U OK? and sharing the message of conversation as well helping fund the invaluable crisis support and suicide prevention services by Lifeline Australia.
For more info and media inquiries please contact Mal Meiers by email: foodforthoughtdinners@gmail.com