A record $73,000 was raised at the Surfing Chefs for SurfAid charity event at Bib & Tucker Thursday 27 October. The event saw some of WA’s best chefs join forces with surfing legends Taj Burrow and Tom Carroll to feed a generous crowd.
The seventh instalment of Surfing Chefs for SurfAid saw WA officially take the crown of “most generous”, raising the highest amount of funds in the event’s five year history. Founder of the Surfing Chefs concept, Chef Russell Blaikie from Must Winebar was ecstatic with the result. “The surfers’ spirit of giving back was truly evident last night. Our surfing community and their connections dug deep to raise an incredible amount of money and words cannot express how overwhelmed we are with their generosity.Â
“Eamon Sullivan and Scott Bridger at Bib & Tucker hosted an amazing night and the camaraderie in the kitchen with Taj and Tom and all of our surfing chefs was fantastic and so much fun.”Â
The “beach cocktail” style event saw 150 people treated to eight different courses from: Scott Bridger (Bib & Tucker), Russell Blaikie (Must Winebar), Dany Angove (Leeuwin Estate), Aaron Carr (Vasse Felix), Paul Iskov (Fervor), Herb Faust (Herb Faust Food) and Tony Howell (Morries Anytime, The Common, White Elephant) along with Tom Carroll and Taj Burrow.
Tom Carroll felt at home ditching his surfboard and donning his chefs’ jacket for the third time for this event, while newcomer Taj Burrow joined the team in the kitchen for the first time, speaking of his involvement:
“I go to the Mentawais every year and have the most amazing time surfing over there. To be able to give back to those communities where we go so often and get such incredible surf is a great feeling.”
“It’s been a lot of fun in the kitchen with everyone, I’ve been put to work prepping and plating lots of dishes and there’s been some great banter and friendly rivalry between us all which has made it a great experience.”Â
SurfAid Founder Dr Dave Jenkins is grateful to all involved for raising much needed funds to help the organisation bring clean water, access to basic health care and improved nutrition to some of the most vulnerable and isolated communities in Indonesia.
“Surfing Chefs for SurfAid is an amazing event and we are incredibly grateful to all the chefs, Tom Carroll, Taj Burrow, Eamon Sullivan and all our sponsors and guests for their support. This event started in WA and the backing of this fantastic community is critical to SurfAid’s work.Â
“With the $73k raised at this event SurfAid can expand its reach to three new remote communities in Indonesia. SurfAid literally saves lives.”Â
SurfAid is a humanitarian aid organisation that works directly with some of the most remote and vulnerable villages in Indonesia. In collaboration with the communities, SurfAid’s programs provide clean water, access to basic health care, and improved nutrition all with a “hand up, not a hand out” philosophy.
Special thanks to Major Partners of Surfing Chefs for SurfAid WA:
McHenry Hohnen, Bib & Tucker, Must Winebar, Rendezvous Hotels, Gage Roads Brewing Co, Bunkers Wine and BWM Dentsu, Coastal Watch and Surfing World.
