Grounded by MND

What: a multi-course, 14-dish Chinese banquet supplemented by DIY tins of Yarra Valley Caviar, Mac Forbes and StockonHand wines, Four Pillars gin & KAIJU! beers.
Why: to raise money for MND Victoria
When: 11am-1.30pm on Sunday February 26, 2023
Where: No Vacancy Gallery, QV building, 34-40 Jane Bell Lane (off Russell St), Melbourne

On Sunday February 26, skip breakfast before an elite caviar and yum cha banquet by Old Beijing to raise funds for #GroundedforMND. Over a total of 14 dishes, expect dim sum such as black truffle xiao long bao, a peking duck course, seafood dishes such as lobster ma po tofu and DIY Beijing-style shredded pork with fluffy steamed bao buns – all supplemented with tins of Yarra Valley Caviar.

Neighbours Four Pillars gin and Mac Forbes wines are joining the party, along with KAIJU! beer and a strong starter and finisher from StockonHand (Holly's Garden ÜberBrut Sparkling to begin and Inkwell Sweet Jane fortified Viognier paired with baked egg tarts to end). Non-alcoholic pairings are available from NON, while Remedy Drinks has softies covered.

Held at No Vacancy Gallery in the QV building, the event is strictly limited to 50 places.

Please specify dietary requirements at time of booking and no later than a week out from the event.

All funds raised from ticket and artwork sales will support the work of MND Victoria, registered charity ABN: 44113484160

A portion of both ticket and artwork purchases is tax deductible. Your details will be collected and receipts issued by MND Victoria.

The Menu

FIRST COURSE: YUM CHA

Black truffle xiao long bao

Steamed crystal king prawn dumplings

Steamed chicken siu mai

Steamed rice roll with prawns

San choi bao

Peking duck

SECOND COURSE

Ma po lobster

Steamed barramundi with steamed fish sauce

Sun-dried scallop and egg white fried rice

THIRD COURSE

Beijing shredded pork with steamed buns

Shanghai-style poached scrambled egg with crab meat

Shanghai-style noodles with shallot oil

Water spinach

FOURTH COURSE: DESSERT

Baked Egg Tarts

Win a Luxury Yarra Valley Gourmet Weekend Away worth $2500

Anyone who makes an extra $2 donation will go into the running to win a luxury, gourmet weekend away in the Yarra Valley for two worth $2500. This includes a two-night stay at the magical Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, dinner and a wine tasting at Jayden Ong’s Winery & Cellar Bar, a set menu with matched wines at TarraWarra Estate, another at Heartswood, lunch at Lulu’s Burgers and a Four Pillars immersive makers session (where you'll distil, snack, taste, take home goodies and be sent a bottle of what you distil on the day). Simply add the option to enter as you would a ticket.

Motor Neurone Disease 101

Motor Neurone Disease – also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Lou Gehrig's Disease – is a progressive condition in which nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable people to move, speak, breathe and swallow degenerate. There is no cure and life expectancy after diagnosis is one to five years. Just 10 per cent of people with MND live 10 years or more after their diagnosis.

About the Photographer

Greg Levin was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in January 2022. A former doctor and photographer, he is no longer able to use his arms. Grounded by MND is his inaugural exhibition, featuring photographs taken in different corners of the globe, from Cappadocia to Cuba.

“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. 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,” he says.

With special thanks to support from our generous sponsors: Yarra Valley Caviar, Old Beijing, Mac Forbes wine, Four Pillars, KAIJU! beer, NON, Remedy Drinks, Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, Jayden Ong, Heartswood, Lulu’s Burgers, TarraWarra Estate, No Vacancy Gallery, Fini Frames, Anatomy Studios and Flo & Co. Studio.