Led by Al Brown with support from the Restaurant Association, Cooking Up a Storm sees venues across the country hosting special dinners on Monday 20 March, in an effort to raise funds for those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Diners can book in for a two-course menu for $69, with $46 from every booking going towards the Mayoral Relief Funds, with a portion also going towards hospitality members impacted by the weather events.
Depot, Kingi, MoVida, Cazador, Akarua Winery, Bistronomy, Riverstone Kitchen and Boulcott St Bistro are some of the fantastic restaurants getting involved.
“We are attempting to create the country’s biggest ever dinner party with the whole hospitality community coming together to do good and help those in need,” said Al Brown.
As to the menu, chef’s are creating dishes that focus on simple comfort food, inspired by the idea of a dinner party at a friend’s place.
“It’s about comfort food and bringing like-minded folk around a table for the evening. Essentially we’re emulating what is happening in the effected regions, where sitting around a table and having a kai, is bringing people together to support, listen and be there for each other.
“I know times are still bloody tough for many in our beloved hospitality industry, but we still need to think about others and the role we play in the community.
“We’d like to show that as whole industry we can help make a difference and give back in a meaningful way.”
Like many other businesses, hospitality venues have been heavily impacted by the recent weather events, with 65 per cent having to close their doors and 25 per cent remaining closed, according to a recent survey by Restaurant Association.
Diners can take part by booking a table at cookingupastorm.org.
