The conflict in Syria is a dark chapter in the story of the world, one which we hope concludes swiftly. It’s natural to feel helpless, but there is a way to do something.
Cook For Syria is an international initiative which aims to raise funds for UNICEF’s Syrian Crisis Relief through a series of dinners. It launched in London in October 2016, ran in Sydney on Feb 27 and will run in the USA in June.
The Melbourne incarnation, organised by Good Food’s Gemima Cody, will be held at The Point on March 6.
The chef line up is incredibly impressive, with Andy Harmer (The Point), Thi Le (Anchovy), David Moyle (Franklin and Longsong), David Thompson (Long Chim), Karen Martini (Mr Wolf), Shane Delia (Maha), Shaun Quade (Lûmé), Frank Camorra (MoVida), Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook), Jacques Reymond and Dave Verheul (Embla, Town Mouse) all on board. Each chef will create a Syrian-inspired dish for the night.
I couldn’t help but put my hand up to curate the wine side of things, so in conjunction with (a very pregnant) Meira Hall (due any day now!) from The Town Mouse, we got to work.
The response from the wine community was swift and heartwarming. Aside from donating wine for the dinner itself, many winemakers also opened their cellars, offering up rare back vintage wines, magnums, double magnums and more so more funds can also be raised via raffles and auctions on the night. PLUMM are also donating glassware and decanters to the cause.
Tickets are [still available] for this incredible cause. The cost is $329 (inc. booking fee) with 75% of the ticket price going direct to UNICEF.
The wineries who have generously donated are below.
Athletes of Wine
Bellwether
Best’s
Brash Higgins
Brennan
Clos Clare
Crawford River
Glaetzer Dixon
Goodman
Head
Hockirsh
Journey
MOON
Moondarra
Murdoch Hill
Owen Latter
Patrick Sullivan
Sasafras
Spin Off
Stargazer
Syrahmi Demi
Tarrington
Tom Shobrooke
Unico Zello