A much-loved Colombian childhood treat is being turned into a sweet act of support, with Bottega Bandito’s chefs teaming up with Big Easy Group to raise money for communities affected by the recent earthquake in Colombia.
The Adelaide food favourites are making batches of homemade arequipe, a rich Colombian caramel traditionally made by slowly cooking milk and sugar until it becomes thick, golden and irresistibly sweet.
The idea came from Bottega Bandito sous chef Sara Vasquez, who has family and friends still living in Colombia and wanted to find a way to help from thousands of kilometres away.
“Arequipe is a childhood treat for everyone in Colombia, so it just made sense for us to jar it up and sell it to raise funds for those in need,” said Sara.
For Sara, the caramel is about much more than dessert.
“It’s the thing you grow up eating off a spoon, folded into desserts, spread on arepas, or eat straight from the jar when nobody’s looking,” she said.
“It’s slow, it’s simple, and it takes real patience to get right: milk and sugar, cooked low and slow until it turns thick, golden and impossible to stop eating.”
The recipe being used for the fundraiser comes from Sara’s own family, giving the project an especially personal connection to the communities it is supporting.
“I have so many family and friends back in Colombia still, and in times like this you feel so far
away. So we wanted to just do something to help.”
Bottega Bandito and Big Easy Group have donated the ingredients, while the chefs have donated their time to make the arequipe.
That means 100 per cent of the proceeds from every jar sold will go towards the ActionAid Emergency Appeal Colombia Earthquake, supporting communities affected by the disaster.
Big Easy Group is also getting behind the fundraiser across its venues, with jars available at all seven of its locations so Adelaideans can get involved beyond Bottega Bandito.
Each jar costs $20, with customers also able to add an additional donation at the till if they would like to contribute a little extra.
Pre-orders are currently open, with jars available to collect from Bottega Bandito in Prospect or James Place on Saturday, September 12th.
So whether it’s spooned straight from the jar, spread over an arepa or folded into a dessert, the arequipe offers a little taste of Colombian home cooking, while helping raise funds for people who need it most.
Housemade Colombian arequipe fundraiser
When: Pick-up Saturday, September 12th
Where: Bottega Bandito Prospect or James Place, plus participating Big Easy Group venues
Cost: $20 per jar, with additional donations welcome
For more information, click here.
