A special fundraising luncheon was organised on behalf of the Auckland hospitality industry by Sid and Chand Sahrawat in the wake of events in Christchurch on Friday 15 March.
The lunch took place at Sid at the French Café on Sunday 28 April with 100 per cent of the proceeds donated directly via hospitality charity DineAid to Victim Support, to help victims and families affected by the Christchurch mosques shooting. The fundraiser raised $122,245, which will be distributed by DineAid to Victim Support.
The $250 a head six-course tasting menu featured a special menu curated by Sid and his teams at Sidart, Cassia and Sid at The French Café. The price included champagne wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, all team members donated their time with suppliers also lending their support.
MC’d by broadcaster Kerre McIvor, the lunch included a live and silent auction with hospitality packages donated by leading Auckland chefs and restaurants including Amano, Baduzzi, Café Hanoi, Michael Meredith, Phil’s Kitchen, Saan, Tantalus Estate, The Grove and many others.
Sid says he and Chand feel this is one small way in which they can help, “We were just so horrified at Friday’s events and to do nothing just doesn’t feel right to us, or to our teams and peers in the industry,” he says. “We all want to help, and this is one small way we can show we are united in disbelief and to demonstrate solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christchurch.”
