On Saturday 16 September 2017, OnePlate joined forces with nine MasterChef contestants to create the ‘OnePlate Feast’ – a fundraising dinner held in the stunning Glasshaus nursery, Cremorne.
The Feast was created by 2017 MasterChef contestants; Pia Gava, Michelle Lukman, Bryan Zhu, Jess Butler, Rashedul Hasan, Benita Orwell, Kristina Naray, Branden Zhou and 2016 contestant Charlie Sartori who all volunteered their time and skill to create the perfect evening.
“It is rare for the contestants to be able to come together like this post-season,” said Pia Gava, OnePlate ambassador and MasterChef superstar.
From the banter and laughter, it was clear they enjoyed being able to share a kitchen again and work together for a good cause.
Blending artistry and generosity, the nine spent weeks planning and preparing the perfect meal. Many flew to Melbourne for the event.
The result was a sumptuous five-course dinner – with paired wines – bringing together flavours from around the world.
First course, prepared by Kristina and assisted by Branden, was inspired by Kristina’s home country, Lao. It was a salad of crispy rice ball with a mild red curry paste, pomelo, kaffir lime, mint, coriander and peanut served with a green chilli sauce.
The next stop was Italy, served by Pia and assisted by Benita, who delighted everyone with a home-made raviolo filled with a mix of ricotta and goats cheese, served with cherry tomatoes, butter sauce, basil oil topped with a lattice of crispy parmesan cheese.
This was followed by a Bangladesh fusion, served by Rashedul and assisted by Branden, a pulled osso-buco with bakarkhani (flaky pastry bread), served with alu dom, cauliflower, enoki mushroom and blood orange.
The fourth course, prepared by Jess and assisted by Charlie, was a succulent pork belly with crackling, served with root vegetables and Davidsom plum chutney.
And finally, dessert. An exquisitely crafted earl grey and vanilla soft-set panna cotta with crystallised pecan nuts, maple jelly and bee pollen, served by Michelle and assisted by Bryan.
A palate cleanse of ‘Summer Bird’ loose leaf organic tea containing lemongrass, Australian lemon myrtle, and rosehip, donated by the ‘Tea Lady’, Amanda Corbett, allowed guests to easily glide between courses.
Paired wines ensured the conversation flowed between the guests, a collection of restaurant owners, journalists, media and friends.
Behind the scenes was a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers who came together to transform the Glasshaus, a nursery by day, into a glamorous dining room, complete with a working kitchen.
The evening was coordinated by Emma Brennan from Event Management Studio, while Nada from Glasshaus Inside, Hannah Hladik from HH Aesthetic and The Collective by Friends, helped create the perfect atmosphere.
Doncaster Bookbinders added a touch of glamour by donating gold embossed, leather bound menus for each table.
Wineries, breweries, food providers, photographers, videographers, caterers and volunteers all pooled their talents to make the evening a success.
“Not everyone may be able to donate or travel overseas but everyone has a skill and through OnePlate people can use their skills to make a big impact to those in the greatest of need. We saw this come together at the dinner,” said Thérèse Nichols, co-founder of OnePlate.
The OnePlate MasterChef Feast was made possible by the incredible generosity and kindness of the following sponsors.
Thank you!