Chefs come together to support Christchurch

April 6, 2011 - PRLog -- For one night only, 5 Michelin-starred chefs, came together with a host of multiple AA-rosette winners and TV chefs to combine their love of food at a ‘pop-up’ restaurant to raise funds for the Red Cross initiatives in Christchurch, New Zealand after their recent and devastating earthquake. At last count the event had raised more than £60,000.

The event took place on Monday 4th April 2011 at the Institute of Accountants at One Moorgate Place, operated by ISS Food and Hospitality.

The concept, which bore out of a conversation on Twitter between Kiwi chef and Masterchef winner Mat Follas (@matkiwi) and Dave Ahern (@corkgourmetguy), went from the idea of a 30 cover pop-up fundraiser dinner to the Kai We Care dinner, attended by 200 people, almost instantly (Kai is Māori for food).

Mat Follas commented: “The power of social media and the ability to engage with the community of London and the wider United Kingdom in organising this charity event is magnificent. The outpouring of support for my homeland of New Zealand is humbling and I am extremely proud in being able to give something back to them.”

Dave Ahern commented "It is amazing how even in the most trying of times people's generosity of spirit and wish to help those affected by events like those in Christchurch shines through. This event would never have been possible without the incredible hard work of so many people, most of whom had never met before but have put their shoulder to the wheel in an attempt to make this unique event a superb success.”

He concludes: “There are no words of gratitude that can adequately convey the huge thanks owed by myself and Mat to everyone involved it was a huge success."
A soupcon of the chefs cooking for the 9-course banquet was as follows:
•   Michelin-starred and multiple award winner, Simon Hulstone kicks off the evening with a tasting of beetroot
•   Michelin-starred chefs Adam Gray and Dominic Chapman combine forces for rare breed pork and truffle
•   Michelin-starred Russell Brown splashes out on saffron-poached prawns
•   Triple AA-Rosette holders Mark Poynton and Russell Bateman work their magic with New Zealand lamb
•   Michelin-starred Matt Tomkinson is on dessert

The dishes were complemented by Steve Groves canapés; Alex Wood’s ‘eggs and soldiers’; Marcus Bean and Johnnie Mountain’s take on cheese; along with Edd Kimber and Luke Mackay’s version of macaroons and petit fours.

-Ends-

Editor’s notes:
The website is:http://kaiwecare.weebly.com/
Twitter @KaiWeCare or http://twitter.com/kaiwecare
Kai We Care was envisaged by Dave Ahern (http://twitter.com/CorkGourmetGuy ) and Mat Follas (http://twitter.com/matkiwi  ).
•   “Kai (the Maori word for food) We Care”
For information about Kai We Care contact Mat Follas on Mob:  07757 211 299 or E: mfollas@gmail.com

For further press information, please contact:
Stephanie Lowe, William Murray Communications
T: 020 8256 1360
F: 020 8681 3116
E: stephanie@williammurray.co.uk

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