As part of the Victorian Restaurants Unite project, which saw restaurants donate all profits from their Australia Day trade to raise funds for flood victims in Queensland and Victoria, Melbourne restaurant Philhellene Republic raised $2,500.
With over 50 people in attendance, restaurant director Alki Gerassimou said she was pleased with the day’s success.
“We were happy to take part, if the cause is worthy we’re always pleased to support something good,” she said.
Philhellene Republic was also the only restaurant in Melbourne’s northern suburbs to participate in the Streetsmart campaign last month, where they raised $1,088 for the homeless in the local area.
We’ve participated in that campaign for two years in a row,” Mrs Gerassimou said. “We’re always happy to help a worthy cause.”
Philhellene Republic is not just about food, Mrs Gerassimou said.
“We’re about community, culture, music and this reinforces that commitment to all of that,” she said. “It also reinforces the fact we are happy to work with other restauranteurs to achieve something worthwhile.”
Church St Enoteca in Richmond raised $7,500 for flood relief with their Australia Day Tuscan barbecue, which featured a menu of lamb, chicken, pork, lots of Italian salads and a selection of cakes donated by the French pastry chef from the RACV club in the city.
Executive chef Vas Donoudis said the day went really well.
“People were absolutely happy to support a good cause,” he said.