I don’t think that there were many people that were not touched by the tragic fire on Boxing Day 2011, that resulted in the loss of Matt Golinski’s beautiful wife, Rachael and their three gorgeous children Starlia, Willow and Sage, and left Matt with severe injuries that he has yet to recover from.  Matt sustained third degree burns to over 40% of his body and continues to receive treatment at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where is condition is now listed as ‘stable’.

‘Plates for Mates’ is a national fundraising event conceived by a group of Australia’s leading chefs as a way to express their care, concern and support for friend, celebrity chef and caterer, Matt Golinski.  Funds raised from Plates for Mates will be in aid of the Matt Golinski Recovery Fund Trust (a financial trust fund set up to assist Matt’s emotional and physical recovery), and shared via a donation to The McComb Research Foundation (a charitable organisation set up by plastic and reconstructive surgeon and former Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood along with friend and scientist, Marie Stoner to aid burns research).

So a call out to all foodies! Below is a list of ways that you can help and support the businesses that are supporting this very worthy cause.

1. Sirocco Noosa

We will donate $1 for every dinner table for the month of April.

2. Wasabi Restaurant & Bar

The gift of 1000 paper cranes is the gift of 1000 years of happiness and prosperity.
Our staff would like you to add a crane, and a year, to your collection. In return we ask for a small donation.
Dine at Wasabi during April, take home an origami crane and show your concern and support for Matt and the good people at the McComb Foundation. Thank you for your generosity.

3. View on Little Hastings St Noosa – Dine Here! Dig Deep. Dream to Indulge…

WIN: Luxury “Spa” weekend
View on Little Hastings will be accepting donations for Plates for Mates throughout April 2012. All who donate can enter a draw to win a Luxury “Spa” weekend at Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort & Spa.
With support from Stephanie’s Day Spa, located on the Resort, the getaway includes:
• 2 nights accommodation for up to six people
• Allocation to a Luxury 3 Bedroom Villa
• A welcome Champagne and Deli Selection
• 4 floating dream experiences at Stephanie’s Spa.
• Buffet Breakfast daily in View on Little Hastings
Raffle value is in excess of $3310.

We encourage our guests, conference delegates and local Noosa residents to dig deep for the Plates for Mates fundraiser and we look forward with much anticipation leading up to the announcement of the winner of our Luxury “Spa” weekend at Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort & Spa (drawn on 01 May 2012 and valid through to 23 December 2012)
This two day rejuvenating getaway in our 3 Bedroom self-contained, multi-level villas that feature expansive living & dining areas, kitchen, ensuite & main bathroom, laundry, private garage & large balconies with views of the lush Noosa National Park. Package includes a bottle of Chilled Chandon Champagne on arrival along with a gourmet selection of local cheeses, dips and crackers. Four Floating Dream spa experiences at Stephanies® Ocean Spa, including a detoxifying and relaxing Mineral Floatation Pool prior to your massage. Followed by spa refreshments and seasonal sorbet in our Tranquillity Lounge on completion. Full buffet breakfast in View on Little Hastings for up to six guests.

4. The Boat Shed

The Boat Shed is running a special dish for the month of April – Assiette of Spanner Crab. This is a dish celebrating our local spanner crabs in 4 different ways: Spanner crab, leek & gruyere soufflé; Tian of Spanner crab, avocado & orange, red pepper salsa; Spanner crab and prawn wontons; Spanner crab salad, crispy pork belly, red wine vinegar caramel.
For every Assiette of spanner crab sold during the month The Boat Shed will be donating $2 to Plates for Mates.

5. Bistro C – Noosa

For the month of April Bistro C will be serving $15 “Mates Plates”, with all proceeds going to the Plates for Mates campaign.
The ‘share with a mate’ tapas style dishes will be available between 3pm and 5pm every day in April.
No bookings necessary, just rock up with a mate (or 10) and help Bistro C support Matt Golinski and the McComb Foundation.
This is all possible thanks to generous contributions made by the following suppliers and producers:
Tassal Salmon, Viande Foods, Suncoast Fresh, Mooloolah Rivers Fisheries, Kinkawooka Mussels, Suncoast Limes, Markris Foods, Olives Direct

6. Food At Eumundi – 14 April & 28 April

A fabulous 6 course degustation menu will be on offer on 2 nights (14 and 28 April). $85 pp of which $15 will be donated to Matt. Only 30 tickets available on either night.

7. April 16, 2012 Noosa District SHS Restaurant Night

Noosa District SHS hospitality department proudly presents a set 3 course menu featuring recipes created by Matt Golinski.
$25 pp (total cost of meal is to be donated )
BYO welcome (no corkage)
Strictly Limited to 40 diners
Bookings are essential
Bookings to be made by Friday 30th March.
All food prepared and served by students from the Hospitality dept.

8. April 22, 2012 Hinterland Helps Matt

Sunshine Coast Hinterland Chefs will host a fundraiser lunch for Matt Golinski through “Plates for Mates”.
Cameron Matthews of Spicers Clovelly Estate in Montville and Daniel Jarrett of Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny are both chefs and fathers who both incidentally also have twins. Matt’s plight hit a chord both from a personal level as well as professional; when something happens to “one of their own” the fraternity must respond.
Spicers will spearhead the Hinterland’s efforts by hosting a fundraising lunch to be held at Spicers Clovelly Estate in Montville on Sunday the 22nd of April from 12.00pm. This will be a three-course lunch in their award winning restaurant “The Long Apron”, with a welcome drink upon arrival; live music and a silent auction to further raise funds.
Tickets will be $75.00 per person and pre-payment will be required. Please do not hesitate to make your booking as places will be limited by phoning 1300 272 897. Event organizer, Leanne Matthews, can be contacted on 0417 733 768 if interested members of the public or local businesses would like to offer support through donation of goods or services for the silent auction.

9. April 23, 2012 Crowne Plaza Pelican Waters Long Lunch

Help to support this fantastic event by joining us for a long lunch Monday 23rd April 2012. Celebrate Matt and his family with a lovingly prepared lunch for you and all of your friends. Ticket Price is $50.00 per person, there will be raffles with great prizes to win!

10. April 27, 2012 Coast Restaurant and Bar Hervey Bay – Plates for Mates

Coast is so pleased to have the opportunity to support Matt Golinski by hosting a ‘Plates for Mates’ event.
Coast will be hosting a night of food and wine to raise money to help Matt’s recovery. Matt’s story truly moved our staff, friends and families and we are so happy to be able to contribute.
We will start the evening with Champagne Cocktails on the deck and follow with a four course dinner featuring local produce. Each course will be matched with wine. Lucky door prizes and late night entertainment.
$95/head ($30 from every ticket donated to Plates for Mates).
Please call (07) 4125 5454 for bookings.

11. M.V. Noosa Queen Lunch Cruise

Enjoy our Smorgasbord Lunch Cruise on the beautiful Noosa River on 29 April. $55pp. 100% of ticket sales will be donated to Matt. To see menu, visit our website www.noosaqueen.com

What’s in a name? Roses, rosés; how a little slip of the pen above the ‘e’ can make so much of a difference in both pronunciation and meaning, yet while roses are intoxicatingly fragrant, rosés can be just plain intoxicating.

Regional foodie hosted a prelaunch lunch amongst friends and the delicious menu was constructed around the beautiful rose and its liquid counterpart, rosé.

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In the early hours of the morning, while most of us are still asleep, farmers and producers from around the Sunshine Coast are making their way to various locations, their vehicles laden with fabulous array of edible goods, special, fresh, delectable offerings that are presented to a regional community of market goers. Fruit and vegetables are harvested the day prior to the markets, fresh and vibrant, brimming from baskets and boxes as they are unloaded to fill stalls in the true tradition of a farmers’ market.

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There is something about food in literature that we seem to devour with as much gusto as what we would an actual meal. We digest descriptive passages with passion and ardour and we greedily consume every ingredient, every sugar coated phrase and heavenly scented scene, living, as it would seem, through our stomachs, even if it is only in our minds.

I am not sure what it is that makes us quite so obsessed with food literature. Maybe it is as simple as it being something that we can all identify with.

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If you are drawn to a particular fruit or vegetable because of its magnificent colour, now there is even more of a reason to pick out the prettiest one to take centre stage in your meals.

Did you realise that the colours of fruits and vegetables is more valuable than just making your salad and meals look pretty? In fact, ensuring that you consume a rainbow of colour everyday is the key to longevity, quality of life, fewer wrinkles and a much reduced risk of all chronic lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer (especially of the skin and bowel), as well as many, many more illnesses and diseases.

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Once upon a time cooking schools were something of a serious discipline. They were either  the precursor to a career in the food industry or the introduction to dinner party etiquette and dining basics for the would-be bride that found it a challenge to boil an egg let alone whip up a meal that would pass as edible for hubby-to-be.

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Everywhere you go, streets and laneways are lined with antique trees. Blossoming arches extend over entrances, courtyards are filled with solitary specimens gnarled and knotted by the elements, parks and gardens boast endless varieties, the prize of which may be showcased under a theatrical light display at night. Beneath these trees families and friends gather, some with quite elaborate dining set ups so that they can feast and fest well into the evening, all a part of their traditional ‘hanami’ (cherry blossom viewing).

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With a combination of good food and perfect setting, Belli Bamboo Parkland provided the ultimate backdrop for our midsummer day lunch.

There is something quite magical about a bamboo grove. While they are quite common land feature throughout Asia, Australia doesn’t afford many opportunities to experience this natural delight making a trip to Bamboo Australia at Belli all the more pleasurable.

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When you sit down to your meal, do you ever place much thought as to where the food that you are about to eat actually comes from? Most people will generalise; it came from the butcher, or the greengrocer, or the supermarket, or if you follow the food chain that little bit further, you may come up with a slightly more targeted response and say a farm. Which it most likely did – but then it needs to be asked, are you aware that there are farms and there are farms?

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