Top restaurants help kids learn to garden and cook

Some of Auckland’s most exclusive restaurants are helping establish gardens and kitchens in primary schools by supporting “Feast for the Future” on November 12. Each restaurant is donating a portion of its takings that night to the Garden to Table Trust.

Over twenty top Auckland restaurants are already on board including Depot, Dine by Peter Gordon, Sidart and The Engine Room and more are welcome.

The evening is the annual fundraiser for the trust which funds and supports primary schools in teaching children how to grow, harvest, prepare and share good food. Money donated by the restaurants goes towards sustaining and expanding the programme.

Trust founder Catherine Bell says the involvement of the restaurants makes it easy for people to contribute whilst enjoying a great night out.

“It couldn’t be simpler and it couldn’t be a more enjoyable way of supporting the cause,” she said. “Go out for dinner at one of the participating restaurants, have a fabulous meal and perhaps a glass of wine and feel great about supporting such a good cause.”

In an age where gardening and cooking skills are on the wane, the Garden to Table programme teaches children how to grow, harvest, prepare and share food and encourages healthy food choices, says Ms Bell

“These are life skills that not only benefit children, their families and their whole communities but the programme is also a fun way of learning outside of the conventional classroom.”

Bookings for the evening can be made directly with the restaurants and Ms Bell is hoping for a strong turnout.

Ms Bell says the trust welcomes interest from other restaurants to participating in the event.

“Currently we have over twenty restaurants on board but we’d love to have at least 30. It’s very easy for them to become involved - they don't have to do anything other than what they normally do, and they can donate any amount which can be tailored to suit the restaurant.”

Those interested can contact Ms Bell by email at catherine@epicurean.co.nz.

A list of participating restaurants will be maintained on the trust website at http://www.gardentotable.org.nz/