World-famous chef backs the Magpie Nest
British celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has generously donated a table at his world-famous restaurant to the Collingwood Foundation’s Magpie Nest program.
Blumenthal presented the gift to the Magpie Nest Housing Project and two other chosen charities at today’s media launch of the restaurant at Crown Resorts, Melbourne, where it will be re-located to for six months.
The three-Michelin-starred restaurant, presently located in the UK, receives more than 30,000 calls per day for reservations and has a waiting list of more than four years.
The restaurant, including its staff will be moved to Melbourne and open on February 3, 2015 and will seat 50 people.
The Collingwood Football Club Foundation launched the Magpie Nest Housing Project in 2012, in partnership with the Salvation Army.
The project aims to make a genuine difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness by providing long-term affordable accommodation and mentoring support. It targets people sleeping rough on the streets and living in unsafe rooming houses.
The Magpie Nest Housing Project recently opened its 22nd house in Victoria.
David Emerson, Collingwood's Director of Stadia, Events and Community, said Blumenthal’s gift would help to raise vital funds for the project, which is aiming to establish 50 Magpie Nest houses over the next few years.
“On behalf of the Collingwood Football Club, the Collingwood Football Club Foundation and everyone involved in the Magpie Nest Housing Project, I would like to thank Heston Blumenthal for his very generous donation.
“The money raised from the sale of the table at The Fat Duck will go towards establishing more homes for vulnerable and homeless Victorians.”
Click here to make a donation or to find out more about the Magpie Nest Program.