Mat Follas (2009 Masterchef winner on TV) and expat Kiwi, had a brief chat with Dave Ahern (some might know him better as @CorkGourmetGuy on Twitter) about a possible Supper Club or pop-up restaurant to raise funds for the Red Cross initiatives in Christchurch, New Zealand after their recent and devastating earthquake.
So the name "Kai (the Maori word for food) We Care" was born.
The event takes place on Monday 4th April 2011 and has exploded on Twitter from being a simple 'pop-up/ supper club' event of around 30 guests to a minimum of 200 guests, cooked for by a host of chefs (Michelin-starred; TV Masterchef winners and multiple-AA Rosette holders).
Full details of the chefs involved, along with their menus will be released at a later stage, along with the Event Programme.
The ticket price has provisionally been set at £150 per person, which is for a 12-course dinner.
Hopefully the NZ High Commissioner (or his representative) will open the event, along with a message from the Mayor of Christchurch. There is TV coverage being proposed, though this is still in formative stages.
At present, the London location is being kept secret - as with all pop-up restaurants - and will be divulged in due course.
Full sponsorship of the event (for all ingredients; venue; logistics; prize donations; etc.) as well as some chefs who are able to lend a hand during the mis en place and service has been requested via Social Media and the offers have been flooding in.
Mat Follas commented: "I have wanted to support my native land of New Zealand in their recent tragedy of the Earthquake in Christchurch"
He continued "It was a chance meeting and conversation with Dave Ahern and the power of Social Media that this has transformed from a small fund raiser to the potentially huge donation we will be able to make"
Dave Ahern commented "From an acorn grows the oak tree. And that is pretty much how this evolved on Twitter, a little more than a week ago"
He continued "I am delighted to be able to give Mat a hand with his fund raiser. The outstanding support of all the chefs who have gotten involved is humbling. And reaffirms my belief in the support we all feel as human beings when other people face tragedy. This London event is huge. Mark my words!"
It would be great to have any expat New Zealanders who are able to assist in any way. Any persons wishing to assist in the success of the evening are encouraged to get in touch via the contact details listed below.
Any chefs who would like to get involved/ donate auction or raffle prizes or simply help with the overall success of the function, are encouraged to drop a line to the Kai We Care email address below.
For a "˜Behind-the-scenes' look at what will happen on the day, Chef1 has agreed to be in the kitchen filming. Both the dishes and the chefs "˜Documentary style'. He may invite one or 2 of you to join him and apparently accepts brown envelopes to encourage him. Naturally the envelopes will go to a worthy cause.
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