Mondays are the new Fridays. This I found out last Monday as I headed to not one, but three events across the city. To kick off my killer Monday evening, I headed to Meat Fish Wine in Artemis Lane for the Friends of STREAT Cookbook Launch.
STREAT is an amazing local project that helps to train and equipment homeless and struggling youth with skills to gain employment within hospitality around the city. Starting in 2010, STREAT now runs multiple cafes, catering and coffee roasting businesses, and trains over 100 kids a year with vital skills to gain employment.
Martinis and cookbooks – Photo courtesy of STREAT
I arrived at Meat Fish Wine just in time for the speeches, and I was blown away by the work that STREAT has achieved in its relatively short running time. Their goal, assisted by the sales of Friends of STREAT is to be able to double their current number of trainees to 250 kids a year.
After the formalities we were free to explore the beautiful cookbooks lined up on the tables. 45 of the best local chefs contributed to Friends of STREAT – names you may know and restaurants you may have eaten. How does having the secrets of Robin Wickens from the Royal Mail Hotel sound? Or Matt Lane from Mamasita? Shane Delia of Maha? Adriana Zumbo from…well, you know where he’s from.
Tomas, Katie, Charli and Scott – photo courtesy of STREAT
Also on offer were Espresso Martinis (a personal favourite), samosas, oysters, and other delicacies. Not a bad Monday night, indulging for a good cause.
The books are truly beautiful and would make a great gift for a loved one for Christmas. Buy one for yourself while you’re at it and know you’re helping a worthwhile cause every time you pick it up.
-Charli W.
Charli is a creative writer, food lover, and Harry Potter aficionada in her last year of a History degree. She is sure she will find a way combine these things one day, to great success. If not, she’ll pack up and become a bartender somewhere in the Caribbean with a fabulous year-round tan.
Friends of STREAT is available at all STREAT cafes and the STREAT website shop. For other stockists, check the website. Retails at $69.
