Master of ceremonies, George's own celebrity chef, François Ferreira, was overcome with emotion when he thanked every volunteer, every restaurant, every wine farm and every donor who came together in order to not only make the event a night to remember, but to also raise much needed funds for a school that is very close to his heart.
Nineteen restaurants and 19 wine farms joined forces with staff members and volunteers at the Carpe Diem School to put together the fourth annual Gourmets & Gourmands evening in true 20's style. Guests dressed according to the theme and dancers from the Southern Cape Dance Academy entertained guests with their era dances.
The 19 tables echoed the best the 20's had to offer from feathered hats to long thin cigarettes, strings of pearls and embellished adornments, even before guests tasted the exquisite menus put forward by their chosen restaurant, paired perfectly in combination with one of South Africa's finest wine farms.
The premier auction item, a four night stay for four people at the deluxe Tamarina Golf, Spa & Beach Club in Mauritius, including all meals and drinks as well as golf rounds and spa vouchers depending on the guests and 50% off on airfare for the round trip to this beautiful island destination, was purchased by At van der Merwe for R30 000.
The event raised R162 000 for the school which will be allocated towards the building of an outside lift at the school to improve the mobility of the wheelchair bound learners. "We are overwhelmed at the response, not only from the evening's events and the monies raised, but from the amount of people who already put down their names to attend next year's function. Even the restaurants are queuing for a spot. It is extremely humbling and we are so thankful to everyone's part in making this event such a success" said headmaster of the Carpe Diem School, Karools Hauptfleish.
Andries Hartman, die premier borg van die geleentheid en mede-organiseerder Susan Pretorius.
Foto's: Allewyn Dippenaar
