This month, an impressive line-up of chefs, producers and local businesses will come together to show their support for an incredibly important cause: raising funds for MND Victoria. Sofia Levin, a well-known and respected Melbourne food writer, is the brains and heart behind Grounded for MND – a week-long series of art and food events to honour her dad, Greg Levin, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in January 2022.
Grounded for MND will kick off on February 20 and is centred around a week-long photographic exhibition at the No Vacancy Gallery that features Sofia's father's works. Before his diagnosis, Greg was not only a doctor but also an accomplished photographer, with an impressive portfolio of shots from his global travels.
"The paradox is that while the exhibit showcases my travels, since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, I have been quite literally grounded. There are many things I can no longer do independently, including my life-long love of photography," says Greg. "Learning to accept this diagnosis is a difficult and humbling experience, but the title of the exhibition also references the silver lining of my journey – the support of my family, friends and MND Victoria, which has indeed kept me grounded."
The sale of the photographic works along with proceeds from the fundraising events (which are listed below) will go towards MND Victoria, a charity that provides care, equipment and support for those diagnosed with MND. There will also be the opportunity to make an extra donation, which will put you in the running to win an incredible weekend in the Yarra Valley worth $2,500.
Grounded for MND opening night: February 20, 2023
The week-long festivities will commence with a free event outside the No Vacancy Gallery with popular chefs Tom Sarafian and Mischa Tropp manning the barbecues to serve up Armenian fare and masala dosa. You will also find Pafritas Spanish potato crisps topped with Sarafian toum and Yarra Valley caviar, Four Pillars gin, Quealy wines, tunes from DJ and PBS radio host Ahmad Atawneh, live classical music from Lucas Levin and much more. All funds raised from the food and drink will be donated to MND Victoria. Register for the free event now.
#GroundedforMND chef dinner: February 25, 2023
Five of Melbourne's hottest chefs will come together for this special dinner, with the likes of Ross Magnaye of Serai, Rosheen Kaul of Etta, Dave Verheul of Embla, Jerry Mai of Bia Hoi and Pho Nom, and Tom Sarafian each expected to serve up a course. With only 50 tickets available, and a stellar line-up of matched drinks, you're gonna want to book this one ASAP.
Caviar and yum cha banquet: February 26, 2023
Spend your Sunday doing something delicious with a yum cha banquet by Old Beijing. There will be 14 dishes going around, including black truffle xiao long bao, Peking duck and lobster ma po tofu, all supplemented with tins of Yarra Valley caviar. The luxe affair includes a drink upon arrival, matched wines, bubbles and dessert wine. There are only 50 coveted spots available, so be sure to book now.
This is not only an exciting way to taste some of the best food in Melbourne, but also an opportunity to support an incredibly worthy cause. Motor Neurone Disease, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive condition in which nerve cells that control the muscles that enable people to breathe, swallow,
move and speak degenerate. There is no cure for MND, and the life expectancy following diagnosis is between just one and five years.
So go on, show your support and check out one (or more!) of these events.
