Joy to the World and the Menu for Hope

Menu for Hope is an international food blogger fundraiser begun by Pim of Chez Pim and organised in Australia by Ed Charles at Tomato.

Go here to buy $US10 tickets and list the codes of the raffles you fancy. The money raised – $90 000 last year – will support the UN World Food Program:

This year Menu for Hope 5 again raises funds for the WFP’s school lunch program in Lesotho, Africa. This is the second year we are supporting this program, which assist the WFP’s efforts to supply the program by buying directly from local farmers who practice conservation farming methods. With this program, we help feed the kids (which keep them in school) and support their parents and community farming. This sustainable approach to aid is something we believe in and strongly support.

You can enter any raffle (but check if they post internationally/require you to travel). The full list is here, and the Oceania list here. It closes Christmas Eve, so be quick.

Some standouts for me in the local selection:

• Code AP19 – dinner and wines for two at George Biron’s Sunnybrae
• Code AP16 – a weekend for two at Chez Fur on the Mornington Peninsula, via Purple Goddess
• Code AP18 – two tickets to a cooking class with Tony Tan, via Thermomixer
• and finally (and linklessly) , code AP06 – a behind-the-scenes day on a food shoot with Gourmet Traveller

As for us, we’re off up the highway with a trailer full of toys wrapped in plastic and a geriatric kelpie. Have a safe and festive holiday and we’ll see you on the other side of the new year.