Hospitality Industry Cooks up a Storm for Cyclone Relief Effort

Hospitality businesses across the country are coming together to host New Zealand’s biggest dinner party in support of those impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Masterminded by Al Brown and supported by the Restaurant Association, the ‘cooking up a storm’ event is due to be hosted in establishments nationwide on Monday 20^th March. 

Doors will open across the country from 6:30pm with dinner served at 7:00pm.

Participating restaurants will serve a two-course comfort food menu for a set price of $69 with $46 from every sale going directly to the Mayoral Relief Funds.* 

A portion of the proceeds will also go directly to our hospitality whanau impacted by the recent weather events.

“We are attempting to create the country's biggest-ever dinner party with the whole hospitality community coming together to do good and help those in need,” said Al Brown.

Al’s vision for menus is about simplicity, focusing on favourites and comfort food to nurture the nation’s soul through its stomachs. 

“It’s one sitting, with a two-course set menu, just like you were coming around to a friend’s place for dinner. 

“It’s about comfort food and bringing like-minded folk around a table for the evening. Essentially we’re emulating what is happening in the affected regions, where sitting around a table and having a kai, is bringing people together to support, listen and be there for each other. 

“I know times are still bloody tough for many in our beloved hospitality industry, but we still need to think about others and the role we play in the community. 

“We’d like to show that as a whole industry, we can help make a difference and give back in a meaningful way.”

Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois adds “when we saw the devastation caused to so many people by the cyclone, so many of our members wanted to help out. Hospitality is what we do best so when Al came to us with this idea, it seemed like the perfect way for us to give back.”

A recent survey by the Restaurant Association showed that 92% of respondents were impacted by the recent weather.

65% have been forced to close their doors and 25% remain closed. 

Of those that responded to the survey, 69% have seen a significant downturn in trade, particularly in the most affected areas.

29% of respondents have experienced material damage to their business as a result of the recent flooding and cyclone.

“It’s clear that the recent weather has caused widespread issues to the country and to our businesses,” said CEO Marisa Bidois. “But hosting people is what we do best, so we’re looking forward to welcoming people into our establishments again whilst also helping to support those that have been impacted.”

Diners can book their table by going to www.cookingupastorm.org 

*The remaining $23 of the sale goes to the restaurant to cover costs.