GEORGE NEWS - Carpe Diem School (CDS) in George is famous in the Southern Cape for sterling work with special-needs kids and teens - youngsters that would have nowhere else to hone life skills and prepare for a productive future.
CDS also plays host to the Gourmets & Gourmands gala evening, which serves as the school's primary annual fundraiser.
If you were a fly on the wall of the lavishly-decorated foyer and school hall last Saturday night, you would have been forgiven for trying to spot celebrities in the crowd.
Guests were welcomed on a red carpet with the flash of cameras and festive flutes; everyone in attendance was impeccably dressed according to this year's theme, "Marvellous Mediterranean".
Think frocks in island blue and white or embroidered traditional splendour, Med headgear and garlands and matador hats, men in cotton sailing threads or formally suited up for a black-tie ball on the Riviera.
One gent even found it apt to arrive in the guise of Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, complete with locks and headband. And such was the attitude of guests all round: good cheer, incredible generosity, and truly appreciative of the evening's true celebs.
First among these were the stars of Carpe Diem School, whose performances had the hall on their feet in raucous applause. The next mention should be of G&G premium partners Hartman and Standard Bank, both enterprises going beyond the call of duty to ensure the event's success.
Much of the night's entertainment was provided by auctioneer Frederick Bekker in full flight.
And then, of course, there were the chefs and their teams who pulled out all stops to satisfy diners on the night.
It would be impossible to single out any one of the 18 participating restaurants or chefs involved – their camaraderie was a joy to behold. As is the G&G norm, four courses of carefully planned dishes were prepared in the school's covered quad. Diners had the privilege of seeing the kitchen fundis of their favourite eateries in action, and then savour their offerings during the course of the evening's entertainment.
Gourmets & Gourmands guests have always been generous, and this night was no different with nearly R1m raised for Carpe Diem School through ticket sales, Frederick Bekker's auction, and additional donations.
Andries Hartman and Kevin de Beer, representing premier G&G partners Hartman & Sons and Standard Bank, lauded the school for its essential work in the Southern Cape community.
The Family Hartman has supported CDS for more than a decade, not only with this annual fundraiser, but also by providing regular meals for students.
One star of the evening who could not attend is beloved chef François Ferreira – a founding member of the event and Carpe Diem acolyte - who lost his battle with cancer on 31 May this year.
A video that showcased his legacy in the national food industry and chefs fraternity was shown at the start of proceedings, and due credit thus paid to François as an indelible part of Gourmets & Gourmands.
Carpe Diem principal Elzeth Grobler (in the blue dress) with sponsors of Gourmets and Gourmands 2023.
The François Ferreira Academy crew was joined by these restaurants, wine estates, businesses and individuals who made the evening possible: 101 Meade, Bahia Bleu, Carola Ann's, The Fat Fish, Raffaelo D'Amato Jewellers, Ilali, Laborie, Jakkalsvlei, Bekker Auctioneers, Kitchen Queen, Meade Café, HPF Wines, Nina's Café, Pomodoro, Xerox, Steenberg Vineyards, Portobello, Graham Beck, Salinas, Cederberg, Ciro, Serendipity, Garden Route Game Lodge, Meridian Wine Merchants, Twin Trees, Altydgedacht, Frankly Fresh, NLR Wines Peperboom, Mooi Mykonos, Donegal Wine Estate, Ian Visser, Brand Republic and Black Mountain Gin.
Carpe Diem principal Elzeth Grobler and her team are indebted to everyone who went the extra mile to make Gourmets & Gourmands 2023 such a stylish, fun and memorable event, and for showering the school with their blessings, contributions and excellent vibes.
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