The Bloody Good Dinner
After a more than two-year interlude and three reschedules, the Bloody Good Dinner finally returned in November 2022.
Guests were welcomed to the spectacular Botanica Marquee in the Royal Botanic Gardens, where they feasted on a glorious banquet inspired by the Mediterranean roots of the talented NOMAD Executive Chef, Jacqui Challinor. The team at Blakes Feast once again, generously and expertly cared for and catered to our 300 guests who enjoyed the delights of the menu in the stylish surrounds, all provided by our incredibly generous event partners and sponsors.
On arrival, guests were treated to the Bloody Good Highball cocktail featuring Heartshorn Distillery gin; it was a bright and delicious start to the evening. As guests indulged in the stunning three-course menu, wines from Dominique Portet, Pt Leo Estate and Scotchmans Hill Estate flowed freely along with waters and juices from San Pellegrino. It was a wonderfully indulgent experience and met the anticipation building since the dinner was last held in 2019.
MC Hamish McLachlan hosted the event and speakers included our special guest, Grace Joukhadar. Grace shared the heartbreaking story of her daughter Raya’s leukaemia diagnosis and treatment journey at the tender age of just four years old. In 2021, Raya was finally declared in remission after a grueling 100 rounds of chemotherapy, 16 bone marrow biopsies, six total body radiation treatments and a bone marrow transplant. Guests rejoiced in this news and further celebrated when they were given the opportunity to meet the now five-year-old Raya in a recorded interview with Hamish.
Grace illuminated the critical importance of funding blood cancer research, and specifically the Snowdome research that is the beneficiary of money raised at the dinner; the RAVEN project. RAVEN is a clinical trial for children with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). ALL is the most common type of cancer in children. The trials offers immediate access to the promising new treatment Venetoclax, bringing hope to them and their families. Read more about RAVEN.
The 2022 Bloody Good Dinner raised an astonishing $710,000 through the generosity of our donors, far exceeding all our expectations.
We pass on our heartfelt thanks to our guests, partners, sponsors, volunteers and the Bloody Good Dinner Committee for once again helping to raise much-needed funds for blood research.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our major event partners who helped to make the night truly special; Blakes Feast, NOMAD, Dann Event Hire, Town Square and Décor It. We are so fortunate to be supported by so many wonderful companies and individuals who donated their time, expertise, products and services. Thank you. For a full list of our amazing event partners, sponsors and partners, please visit https://bloodygooddinner.org.au/the-sponsors/
Photos by Jim Lee Photography.