Riverland businesses have been hit hard this season, with a once in a lifetime flooding event washing away any opportunity for tourists to visit the region. In an effort to help, Africola is hosting a VIP dinner to not only showcase fantastic regional ingredients, but to also raise vital funds for Riverland tourism operators.
If you’ve been living under a rock, Africola is a multi-award winning South African restaurant co-owned by Johannesburg native, Chef Duncan Welgemoed. The Michelin star awarded chef, who will be co-hosting the event with Eat Easy Judge Mandy Hall, specialises in rich, complex dishes used sustainably sourced ingredients.
A maximum of 100 guests will be able to experience the all-inclusive four-course dinner cooked and curated by Duncan Welgemoed and special guest chefs. The shared-style event will make Riverland meat and fish the vocal point, alongside olive oils, ferments, flatbreads, and a slew of other intensely flavourful dishes.
“One thing we’d like every diner to try at this event is the Riverland carp – for some, this will be for the very first time,” says Duncan.
“Carp is an important resource in the Riverland, and we will explain why we utilise this fish at the dinner. We’d also love to source some yabbies, depending on flood waters and what we can source.”
A portion of the ticket proceeds will fund fuel vouchers for residents in the hardest hit areas, assisting tourism operators that have had to cancel Christmas due to the rising river. An auction will also be held on the night, of which 100% of the proceeds will go towards supporting the tourism operators.
“A lot of tourism venues lost Christmas trade. We want to encourage people to visit the region when things settle down. With the auction, these businesses will be able to get money straight away in their pockets so they can sustain themselves until then,” says Duncan.
At the auction, guests will have the opportunity to bid on Riverland tourism experiences and private dinners curated by Duncan Welgemoed for 2023.
Ensuring all guests are “properly fed and watered”, Duncan says the experience will be accompanied with gin cocktails to begin, followed by a beautiful selection of wines and other winners from 2022’s Drink Easy Awards.
The VIP Showcase Dinner is presented by Eat Easy Publishing – the organisation which curates the nationally recognised Drink Easy and Eat Easy Awards. The Drink Easy team, of which Duncan is also a member of, celebrates and recognises some of the best sips from across the country.
Guests will also be able to take the winners of 2022’s Drink Easy Awards home with them, as each person will receive a handpicked mixed box of wine, beer, and spirits (valued at approximately $200). Guests will also receive Drink Easy merchandise on the night.
To learn more about this unique dining experience or to purchase tickets, click here.
For more on Africola, check out the website, Facebook or Instagram pages.
Event Summary
Where: Africola, 4 East Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000.
When: Monday 16 January 2023, 6pm – late.
Cost: $550 per person (buy here).
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