Manukau Charity Dines Out on Geldof

The recent visit by Sir Bob Geldof has served up a big win for the Manukau Community Foundation, a charity led by community worker and former All Black Frank Bunce.

Sir Bob Geldof entertained hundreds of guests in a glittering dinner at Sky City. Sir Bob then made way for a charity auction, at which one lot outperformed all expectations.

The surprise lot was the idea of Chef and owner of Vinnies Restaurant, Geoff Scott. The well known chef donated his services to offer a Vinnies dining experience for 10 guests, prepared and served in the winning bidder’s own home.

The event organisers said “ We knew the Vinnies dining experience was going to be a hot item and had high hopes of raising two to three thousand dollars on that lot.”

The dinner itself was complemented by a selection of rare wines from Dan Kemp of Kemp Rare Wines, chosen and supplied match Geoff’s cuisine. Organisers said ”The dinner in fact secured a bid and donation to the Manukau Community Foundation of $8000. Way beyond our hopes or expectations.”

Geoff Scott said “I am thrilled to deliver this to Frank and his team. I was inspired by Sir Bob and want to do my bit here. My restaurant is in Jervois Rd, but I grew up in Brookby, near Manurewa and Manukau Community Foundation are pretty close to home for me. It is wonderful that my effort here can contribute something to their work.”

Frank Bunce congratulating Vinnies on the big ticket contribution said “I like that it is a team effort. Geoff had the support of Dan Kemp of Kemp Rare Wines and also of Regal Rides. Who got in behind too are those 10 guests are travelling to the dinner in Rolls, Daimlers, Bentleys rare cars and truly Regal Rides! We are lucky to have been chosen as the charity for this event. We are going to make the money work hard in a community that needs and deserves positive input. It is a good feeling, to have people and businesses who are working to help our work. I’m grateful and we’re ready to make every dollar work for a community in need.”

Geoff Scott says he feels another need too, “We now have to really pull out all the stops. To deliver an evening and a dining experience that rewards such a generous contribution. We’ve discussed it and set a goal. We want to make a night that Sir Bob would fly back for.”

Having recently won the prestigious 2008 Restaurant Association Restaurant of The Year, the Vinnies team are ready to deliver just that.

ENDS

© Scoop Media