It’s probably no secret that our team here at Urban List have a whole heap of love for the good things in life. Food, drink, travel, espresso martinis (this one obviously needs its own mention), and the list could go on.
But do you know something else we really love? Like, love more than espresso martinis? A good old fundraiser. Yep, there’s nothing that gets us more back-slapping excited than when we see the Sunshine Coast community rally together to give back to a great cause, while having an epic time doing it.
So when we heard that one of our longtime favourite Sunshine Coast cafes, The Velo Project, is hosting a bushfire benefit dinner, well we couldn’t keep it to ourselves.
Happening on Saturday 29 February, the event is called Le Diner En Noir, meaning 'dinner in black'. Which also means you’ll get to eat as much as you like and hide it under that slimming black number you’ll be wearing. Phew. And with a six-course amuse bouche menu, there’ll be plenty of eating to be done.
With all that food coming our way, we’ve especially got eyes for the Fraser Isle spanner crab with dill and preserved lemon croquettes; confit duck roulade with pistachios and caramelised apple; and the slow braised pork belly with soba noodles, shallots and sesame.
The herbivores among us won’t be disappointed either, with veggie options for each meal and a full designated dish of paella with green peas, basil, coriander, beans, roasted capsicum and Saffron chipotle rouille. Drooling over here.
But they really got us at dessert—a lemon myrtle custard tart with macadamia sablé, blueberry gel, fresh blueberries and French vanilla bean ice cream.
And as if the food alone wasn’t enough, it’s set to be a pretty sophisticated evening, starting with canapés and bubbles, matching wines with dinner and ending with an on-site auction. (We may or may not be gunning for two nights at Mantra Sirocco.)
It’s fair to say that everyone on the Sunshine Coast felt devastated when the bushfires tore through our beautiful country for all those months, including the team at The Velo Project and their close community, who’ve donated a heap of auction items to be sold off (psst, there are five weekend passes to the Noosa Eat & Drink in there).
All funds raised from the night will be going to the Foundation of Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), who are currently focusing their support on bushfire affected communities. Pretty worthwhile, right?
With an unforgettable night planned and a rock star community rallying for such a good cause, tickets won’t last long. So grab them while you can from The Velo Project or by contacting sarah@theveloproject.com.au. And don’t forget to wear black…or just some stretchy pants will do!
The Details
What: Le Diner En Noir
Where: The Velo Project, 19 Careela Street, Mooloolaba
When: Saturday 29 Feb from 4pm
Cost: $150 per person
For more information, click here.
Looking for more things to do on the Sunshine Coast this February, check out this hit list.
Image credit: Jay Wennington