A Very Big Lunch for a Very Big Issue…

I have to admit, being an MKR Champion and a subsequent food blogger, definitely has its perks.
I get invited to be a part of some really amazing events, and I also get the opportunity to tell the world about them afterwards.

Take for example, yesterday’s lunch at the Adelaide Central Markets for The Big Issue’s ‘The Big Lunch’.
When I was asked to attend, my immediate reaction was YES!
This is a very worthy cause for very worthy people.
A week before winning the MKR Grand Final, Jess and I filmed a segment for Today Tonight at the Hutt Street Centre. It seriously blew me away, meeting and serving lunch to these people.
The homeless community are shy, grateful and humble.
They are sensitive and caring individuals, just like you and I, but with unfortunate circumstances and heartbreaking stories.
It’s easy to forget they are there, especially in a City like Adelaide, where homelessness is not in your face.

I grew up in the reasonably affluent suburb of Brighton and it wasn’t until at the age of 22, when I left Aussie shores for the UK that I was really exposed to this issue.
As anyone who knows will tell you, it’s inescapable over there.
At every tube station, on pretty much every corner, there is someone begging for help.

When I moved to Scotland, it was even worse.
I remember walking to get my hot lunch one day from work, and I saw a homeless boy, probably about 19, sitting on an Edinburgh High Street corner in the rain.
Hundreds of busy workers were rushing past, nobody noticing him.
But, I noticed him, and I saw that he was crying.
He looked so hopeless and helpless, it’s a vision that still haunts me to this day.

It was about this time, that I started purchasing The Big Issue.
I had my regular vendor, he stood outside our local Sainsbury’s.
While I was inside, buying a basket of fresh food, he was outside selling a magazine so he could afford his next meal.
My housemates used to tease, that they saw him driving off in a BMW. That he was actually a wealthy, media magnate and I was funding his empire…
But, as hysterical as their claims were, I knew they were just having a laugh, and it never stopped me from buying my fortnightly read.

I am certainly not the only person in Adelaide, who wants to help this cause.
In fact yesterday, there were 300 of us.
Unified, to eat a delicious lunch all in the name of this amazing charity.
Cory and I were seated, among others, with two exceptional food bloggers and down-right awesome people, McFuzzlebutt’s Manchen and Adelaide Foodies.
I knew it was going to be fun, and I knew we were in for a treat.
And, what a treat it was.

We arrived, to a glass of Champagne for me, and a Vale Ale IPA for Cory.
Tick and Tick, our lunch is off to a very good start.
Once we found our seats, and said our hello’s, I immediately started salivating at the large Charcuterie platter sitting in the middle of our table.
And, for good reason too. It was delicious.
There were a selection of amazing cured and cooked meats, a gorgeous terrine and antipasto vegetables. There were dips and olives, and beautiful fresh, crusty Italian bread all donated by some amazing local Central Market businesses.
Everyone was tucking in with glee, and it was a tantalizing teaser for what was to come.
A meal cooked especially for us, by Executive chef Lloyd Cremer and his amazing team from the Hilton Adelaide.

The Entrée.
Roasted Butternut and Pear Bisque with Granola or Free Range Chicken Mulligatawny soup.
I am a glutton, as we know, so when the soups arrived in two large tureens, I knew I’d be trying both.
I started with the Pumpkin bisque, and it was delicious with just a slight hint of curry, and the mellow sweetness from the pear. The Granola added an interesting texture and needless to say, my bowl was gone in 60 seconds.
Then, the Mulligatawny. I knew it was a good idea to finish on this, and I was so, so right.
What can I say, totally delicious. I need the recipe.
It had a beautiful amount of spice and Coriander flavour. The Chicken was generous, but also not overbearing.
What an amazing way to start a meal, and whet our appetites for the main event.

I will also mention, right about now I started getting really excited.
Not only for the promise of the main that was soon coming, but because of the realization that the meal was being served family style, so I could eat EVERYTHING!
I didn’t have to choose… WOOHOO!

The mains came out, and they didn’t disappoint.
We had a choice between Roasted Seasonal Vegetable Wellington with Wild Mushroom and Herb casserole, Citrus-charred Huon Salmon with Pea & Mint Salsa Verde and market Potato crush or, and I’m sure this was the resounding favourite, Slow cooked Lamb Shoulder with Preserved Lemon and Vino-Cotto Onions.
The Lamb dish was created especially for the event, by none other than South Australia’s Grand Dame of food and my personal idol, Maggie Beer.

All three were delicious.
The Wellington came served with a gravy so divine, that my husband’s first words were “You can recreate this, right?” hmmm… I can try…?
The Salmon was a picture of beautifully cooked, perfection. Flaking tenderly and with a zesty Salsa Verde that I could drink by the glass if given the chance.
And, maybe I’m biased, not just because I love Maggie, but because Lamb Shoulder is my favourite cut of all time… but, Yum!!
The Lamb was amazing. So tender, and so tasty.
I wished I’d brought a bigger bag, with a Tupperware container hidden in it so I could smuggle some home…

Next up, dessert.
There was again, a choice of three.
Rhubarb and Frangipane tart with Orange Anglaise, Cory’s favourite.
Triple Chocolate Brownie served with a fresh Raspberry ripple cream, simply divine and out of the two sweet offerings, my favourite.
And, what meal would ever be complete without a sensational Cheese platter?
Of course, cheese being one of my favourite things in this whole, wide world… I was now ending the lunch, in Heaven.
There was a Triple Cream Brie on this platter, which quite simply, I would take to bed.

There was a raffle, with some amazing prizes, donated by some even more amazing local businesses.
There were sensational Wines from Yalumba and delicious local Beer’s from Vale Ale as well as, gorgeous Lobo Cider to keep us hydrated and merry.
Actually, there was much more booze than it is generally acceptable to drink during the day.
At only $140.00 a ticket, this ‘Big Lunch’ is seriously Big bang for your buck!
But, there were also juices from Mountain Fresh and Splitrock waters, for those that preferred to abstain.

There were six, extremely talented artists, who were live painting original artworks for a silent raffle over the lunch.
I had a brief conversation with one, Datsun Tran, and he explained how delighted he was, that an event like this allows him to utilize his talents and help an amazing cause.
These artists are all truly exceptional, and the work they produced was brilliant.
The event was MC’d by Amanda Blair, and my word she’s a funny lass. Quick as a whip and kindhearted to boot.

The highlight for me though, was the guest speaker, a vendor called Garfield.
Look, anyone named Garfield, already has my vote… but add to this, his inspiring and tear-jerking personal story.
It reminded every single one of us, exactly why we were there.
There was not a dry eye in the house, while hearing from this amazing person about his extraordinary life.
Please, purchase the latest Big Issue to read about Garfield’s story, and I promise you will never walk past another vendor in the street again without buying a copy of this remarkable magazine.

All, in all, the food was fantastic, the atmosphere joyous, and the company, exceptional.
Is there a better way to spend a Sunday?
I think not.
I for one, can’t wait till next year, but in the meantime like undoubtedly every other diner there, I will get my fortnightly Big Issue fix by subscribing to the magazine, and helping in the best way I know how, by showing my support and getting a damn good read at the same time.

www.thebigissue.com.au