GEORGE NEWS - The date is set and so are the menus for this year’s Gourmets & Gourmands – the annual gala-dinner fundraiser for Carpe Diem School, where this culinary feast will be hosted for the 15th time on Saturday 3 August.
A media launch was attended by participating chefs and main sponsors Hartman and Standard Bank, represented respectively by regional sales executive Kevin de Beer and Andries Hartman.
Some of the event’s long-time supporters like Xerox, Ciro and Fancy Functions were also on hand for the happy occasion.
George Museum was festively adorned in all the colours and feathers and bling things that conjure up the spirit of Mardi Gras.
A long central table was groaning under the weight of scrumptious bites presented by eateries signed up for Gourmets & Gourmands 2024.
Many of these establishments – The Fat Fish, Garden Route Game Lodge, 101 on Meade and Ilali, Nina’s Café and Soete Nina’s, Portobello, Salinas, Meade Café, Serendipity, Frankly Fresh, Pomodoro’s, Jakkalsvlei and Apprentice/Francois Ferreira Academy – have been on board before.
From Mossel Bay area, Carola Ann’s, Peperboom and Salt & Copper will participate, with Creative Palette coming all the way from Van Wyksdorp. First-timers this year are La Cantina and Monet’s at Fancourt, as well as Il Giardino, which plies its authentic Italian trade from premises at George Botanical Gardens.
Jakkalsvlei and Garden Route Game Lodge are located in the beautiful heartland of Albertinia, while Serendipity, Salinas and Pomodoro’s are nestled in the pretty village of Wilderness and surrounds.
Mardi Gras
All of these eateries and catering companies will contribute to transforming the Carpe Diem hall into a vibrant Mardi Gras-themed culinary fairground. But let’s not forget the work ahead for G&G organisers and the school’s team under principal Elzeth Grobler.
With glasses of Donegal’s finest wines in hand, media-launch guests had a chance to find out more.
G&G chairman Wern van der Watt, representing Nina’s with wife Tasha, set an example in his Mardi Gras costume complete with glittering top hat and threads to match.
Wern welcomed all before handing the mic to logistics ace Alewijn Dippenaar, who regaled his audience with historical facts on the origins of ‘Fat Tuesday’ – and how this year’s event will again bolster the future of Carpe Diem kids.
Patrons of the school
Hartmans is a household name in George and Andries a patron of Carpe Diem School. But, he said, after all these years it’s still inspirational to see what happens behind the scenes to ensure that learners reach their full potential.
“I pay tribute to each Carpe Diem staff member – the silent heroes of Gourmets & Gourmands. We look forward to spending another wonderful evening in their company,” he said.
Kevin de Beer of premier sponsors Standard Bank was next up with an entertaining account of his personal Gourmets & Gourmands experience, and the wider significance of his business involvement.
“Our commitment is to social responsibility and the transformative power of education. We are proud to be part of Carpe Diem and to help fulfil their mission of providing specialised care to special kids,” he said.
Children's art
Appetisers for the event did not only include scrumptious finger food, but also Carpe Diem kids’ art on the walls and ceramic creations adorning the table.
As delightful was a performance by four of the school’s dancers, clad in bright Mardi Gras costumes and interacting with their adoring audience. And this, said headmaster Elzeth, might be the most tangible way of demonstrating how G&G changes lives.
“Every contribution you make is received with love, as it allows us to keep the doors open. Our dancing kids embody the energy, fun, and possibility for each child to develop to the best of their ability. From more than 400 learners, 106 staff and the school governing body: thank you all.”
She said funds raised this year will help fixing fire damage to one of the school buildings and assist learner transport, among many others.
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