Do You GIVVA FORK?

Who is Major Raiser? 

Founded in 2010, the Major Raiser organisation was created to increase young people’s engagement in fundraising. By hosting a series of live music events between 2011 and 2012 they raised over $20,000 for charities including Australian Youth Against Cancer and The Music Outreach Foundation.

A visit to orphanages in South Africa and Uganda inspired a shift in focus for the organisation and in 2013 they relaunched with the sole focus of funding school feeding programmes to combat child malnutrition in developing countries. To do this they partnered with the United Nation’s World Food Programme.

The 2013 GIVVA FORK Campaign
Through their partnership with the UN’s World Food Programme, Major Raiser were made aware of the situation in Laos and given its close proximity to Australia decided they would make it their primary focus for this campaign. 

Created by Sydney’s Dominic Greenwood, this campaign was created to raise money to provide nutritious meals to school children in Laos. Being one of the least developed countries in the world, every second child under 5 is undernourished. By ensuring that these children are able to focus on their studies rather than their hunger, the campaign is hoping that associated family pressures, absenteeism, education and rates of poverty will improve.

How we can help?

Simply visit one of the partner restaurants ( listed below) before the end of March and either:

1. Purchase a GIVVA FORK ($6) which you can take home and use;

2. Choose to pay a ‘Forkage’ – a little extra when you settle your bill (similar to a corkage); OR

3. Attend the GIVVA FORK Campaign Party* ( details below)

For every dollar raised 90% will go directly to the Laos School Nutrition Programme and 10% is used to reinvest in running other GIVVA FORK campaigns. 

The campaign has partnered with the following Sydney restaurants:

• Orto Trading Co., Darlinghurst 
• Ampersand, Surry Hills 
• Mad Pizza – Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Bondi Beach & Newtown 
• Olio, St Leonards 
• Michelini, Crows Nest 
• Not Bread Alone, St Leonards 
• Ham, Cronulla 
• The Dip at Goodgod 
• Edmonds & Greer, Oatley 

A Philanthropic Feast w/ Secret Foodies & Orto Trading Co.

Earlier this month, Secret Foodies teamed up with Major Raiser to offer diners the chance to support the campaign through a communal paddock to plate style feast at Orto Trading Co. in Surry Hills. $5 from each ticket went directly to the campaign and is able to provide a child in Laos with school meals for a whole month. 

British inspired, modern Australian is whats on offer at Orto Trading Co. - A funky little space tucked away in Waterloo Street, Surry Hills. Potted herbs stacked on crates outside offer an insight into this little gem, which places a strong emphasis on locally grown, fresh sustainable produce.

To start we shared a platter of white anchovy and sobrasada fish fingers. Crispy wedges of bread smeared with a smoky paprika infused chorizo spread were topped with a gorgeous white anchovy fillet and lemon rind. A truffle popcorn offered a nice crunch and flavour accompaniment.

Entrée consisted of a caramelised endive and goats cheese tartine with walnuts. This was by far my favourite dish of the evening. The crisp flaky pastry was fused with the sticky caramelised endive and balanced nicely by the saltiness of the goat’s cheese and crunch of the walnuts. It was a perfectly executed dish. The photo doesn't do it justice, but believe me when I say it was absolutely scrumptious. I hope that they have something similar on the menu when I return.

A selection of shared mains included crispy duck egg gnocchi with Cropwell bishop blue cheese, hazelnut and fennel jam. 

Petuna ocean trout baked in parchment with averna and herbed oil and served with char grilled miche.

Riverina golden nugget pumpkins with braised Moroccan lamb, apricot, almond and Meredith sheep’s milk yogurt.

We finished the evening with a twist on the traditional banoffee pie - a baked banoffee split with Coffs Harbour lady finger bananas, dulce de leche, amoretti cream, candied pecans and toasted coconut. And then, there was cheese - a wedge of award winning Tasmanian Pyengana cheddar with ground coffee and sticky honeycomb.

A little vintage, a little retro and a lotta funk, Orto Trading Co. is a great place to dine. The food is fresh and delicious and the service is friendly and efficient.

Orto Trading Co. recently signed on as a 'city cousin' with Food Connect - a fantastic new initiative connecting farmers and the consumer. Food Connect aims to provide consumers with local, seasonal and ecological food direct from the farmer. Grown by passionate farmers, the produce sourced has been grown using holistic and ethical farming methods. You simply jump online, sign up, order what you like and find your local collection spot which may be a restaurant in your local area. Perfect.

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* The Major Raiser GIVVA FORK Party is being held next Saturday 30 March at The Standard in Sydney's Darlinghurst. The lineup includes  Elizabeth Rose, Polographia, Olympic Ayres and Special Guest's Van She

To purchase tickets ($15) visit Moshtix here

For more information on any of the above check out the links below 

Major Raiser

United Nation's World Food Programme

Orto Trading Co.

Secret Foodies

Food Connect

The Standard


The Food Mentalist dined as a guest at The Philanthropic Feast