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February 28, 2017

Hidden Feast “Midsummer”

Filed in: other bits & bobs

I’m happy to finally share with you the photos from our second Hidden Feast, “Midsummer”. Hidden Feast are charity curated dinner parties in the Canberra region to raise money for the NICU Foundation. The next event in the series is scheduled for 6 May and tickets are currently on sale (be quick, there are only 32 spots).

This charity holds a special place in my heart, having had my darling daughter have an extended stay in NICU when she was born 11 weeks premature. The foundation is a local charity that raises money for medical equipment, research and nurse education to help give the ACT and Southern NSW’s critically ill newborn babies, the best chance to lead healthy, normal lives. In addition to this, the foundation provides comforting equipment for parents and families including additional breast pumps, entertainment equipment where families can watch television in a relaxed environment and all the furniture to enable a parent’s overnight stay. These are all the simple things that can make such a difficult time a little bit easier. For more information on the foundation, please see the Hidden Feast website.

With Hidden Feast, is more than a long table dinner party, it’s where friends and creatives come together to curate a unique dining experience. Our Midsummer feast was set amongst the vines at Four Winds Vineyard in Murrumbateman. Four Winds Vineyard started out as one couple’s dream to grow and sell grapes and has turned into an inter-generational family business. Four Winds Vineyard now grows grapes, makes wine and has a cellar door on site, so that you can come and sit amongst the vines and enjoy their wines with delicious wood-fired pizzas. John and Sarah Collingwood own and operate the business. John has swapped physiotherapy for viticulture and manages the vineyard while Sarah with a background in events and marketing oversees all the business operations. You can see the love that has gone into the vineyard over the past few years, having recently built a hay shed for larger events and beautifully rebranded their packaging (the wine is ace too!).

Although it rained intermittently all day, as soon as the guests arrived, the fog rolled out and by the time canapé’s were served, the sun started to break through and we were blessed with the most stunning golden light at sunset. The table was styled by our amazing stylist (and photographer) Lean Timms using wares kindly donated by Harris Scarfe and Canberra Outlet Centre, Sauvage Urbain and Gold Wedding Hire. The most stunning floral and foliage feature I have ever seen was curated by our lovely florist Fionna Tammin of Peony N’ Pearl. She worked tirelessly all day (with her lovely worker bee husband, Greg) and the final result was just perfect. Don’t you agree?

Upon arriving, guests were welcomed by a tarragon, gin and rose martini made by Juniper Bar & Cocktails and were treated to a delicious 4 course menu created by the chef, Aaron Teece of Studio Neon. Although far from the balmy evening I imagined for a Summer feast, the rain held off and the guests snuggled under wraps and blankets and spent the evening, wining, dining and getting to know 31 new best friends.

We are so lucky to have such a stellar group of sponsors of whom without, the event would not be possible. All of these partners offered goods, time and passionate support of Hidden Feast and the NICU Foundation, I couldn’t be more grateful. I am delighted we have many on board for our next feast being held May 6 2017, and I can’t wait to work with them on a special Autumn themed dinner party for our guests. I hope you enjoy the photos, thank you for reading.

All photos pictured here are taken by the very talented Lean Timms.

~ Sponsors ~

Media: Her Canberra | Facebook | Instagram

Glassware: Sauvage Urbain | Facebook | Instagram

Tableware: Harris Scarfe and Canberra Outlet Centre | Facebook | Instagram

Flatware: Gold Wedding Hire | Facebook | Instagram

Stylist and Photographer: Lean Timms | Facebook | Instagram

Flowers: Peony N’ Pearl | Facebook | Instagram

Food: Studio Neon | Facebook | Instagram

Gifts: Essential Ingredient | Facebook | Instagram

Bar: Juniper Bar & Cocktails | Facebook | Instagram

Venue: Four Winds Winery | Facebook | Instagram