Food for Thought

Overview

This month, a few of Melbourne's best chefs are joining forces, combining their talents to help raise awareness about anxiety and depression within the hospitality industry.

Kitchen guns like Ryne's Donovan Cooke, Anchovy's Thi Le, Oakridge's Matt Stone and Lûmé's, Shaun Quade will be cooking up a storm on February 12, for a one-of-a-kind cocktail party aboard Arbory Afloat. At the helm is Food for Thought, a local initiative that runs annual charity dinners to help encourage conversation and break through the stigma surrounding these mental health issues.

The team of chefs will be whipping up a diverse eight-course canapé menu for 350 guests. Tickets cost $100 and include all food and three hours of drinks — and all profits from the night will go straight to R U OK? and beyondblue. If you want to donate more, there will be raffles and auctions throughout the night.

"In our industry we do witness the effects that long hours, high-pressure work environments and an often 'just deal with it' attitude can have, causing those suffering from anxiety and depression not to speak out," said chef and Food for Thought founder Mal Meiers. "Having personally faced this, I felt a huge importance to support this cause."