Menu for Hope - the latecomers

I'm pleased to report that we are just past the halfway mark with this year's Menu for Hope campaign and we are knock-knock-knocking on $30,000's door!  A huge thank you goes to those who have been generously donating prizes or money, buying raffle tickets, and publicising the campaign on their blogs.  As for the rest of you who have still not got your tickets, we are counting on you for a last minute rush towards the end of the week, because if ticket sales do not pick up in the next couple of days, we are going to fall well short of our 2006 total :-(

To whet the apetite of those who have not yet bought their tickets, or maybe to encourage those who have to take another shot, here are all the UK prizes that have been added since the campaing went live a week ago.  I have been adding them to the main UK prize list, but you might not have seen them because they are tucked away at the end of the post.  I think they deserve their 15 minutes of fame, though, as they are all highly desirable - from original art, to a one day stage at a renowned London restaurant, to Italian, Nigerian and British edibles, to the Best of British sparkling wine, to a tasting menu at a cult restaurant in Kent - who could refise?

Aspiring chef?  Win a one day stage with Nuno Mendes and dinner at Bacchus

Bacchus is well-known as one of London's most innovative restaurants (thanks largely to chef Nuno Mendes).  It is also a proponent of the sous vide cooking technique, where food is cooked at extremely low temperatures to preserve its flavours.  The winner of this prize will get to do a one day stage with Nuno in the kitchen at Bacchus, followed by dinner for one in the rerstaurant.  Thanks to Bacchus for this generous prize, and to the guys from Food and Drink in London for organising it!
Restaurant is in London
Prize code:  UK32

Art lover?  Why not choose one of two original foodie watercolour paintings?

Those of you who have visited fellow-South African foodie Ronell's blog My French Kitchen will know that she is a woman of many talents, combining her love of food and her love of art to create mouth-watering watercolours, often with a food-related theme.  She is offering you a choice between two beautiful signed watercolour paintings, to be shipped to anywhere in the world.  All you need is some space on the wall :) 
Prize code:  UK31

Italophile?  Win a San Lorenzo hamper of Italian delicacies worth £70

You are bidding for a hamper filled to the brim with the ultimate selection of Italian delicacies: Apricot Extra jam, rice biscuits, organic linguine, organic pesto alla Genovese, organic sun-dried tomatoes in extra-virgin olive oil, organic black Ligurian olives in brine (Taggiasca cultivar), organic 100% Italian extra-virgin olive oil, Italian chestnut honey, organic peeled tomatoes, Alma Rosada tuna in olive oil, anchovy fillets, Chianti Classico
d.o.c.g. 2004, and Moscato d'Asti d.o.c.g. 2007.
Prize can only be shipped to the UK, Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Germany or Italy.
Prize code: UK35

Homesick African?  Win a traditional Nigerian egisu stew recipe and spices

Are you, or do you know, a homesick Nigerian living abroad?  Or are you just fascinated by the tastes and spices of faraway lands? Then this is the prize for you. Nigerian blogger Sokari will send you not only her recipe for egusi stew/soup, but also the Nigerian spices and seasonings that you will need to get the authentic taste right. The recipe is intriguing in that it contains both meat and seafood and the dish is named after the egusi (melon) seeds that are crushed and stirred into the dish to thicken it. The perfect prize if you want to recreate the taste of Nigeria wherever you may be!
Prize code:  UK36 

Celebrating something special? Enjoy a bottle of Chapel Down English methode champenoise sparkling wine

If you ever wanted final proof that English fizz can compete with the best in the world, this is it.  Chapel Down winery sources grapes from all over the south-east of England and the non-vintage Brut that's up for grabs has won a bronze medal at the prestigious International Wine Challenge competition.  The wine has good depth, crisp fruit and yeasty undertones - and best of all, Superfood is offering a bottle as a prize.  Can be shipped anywhere in the UK.
Prize code:  UK37

Homesick brit? Comfort yourself with a gift box packed with best of British tea-time treats

If there's one thing the British know all about, it's afternoon tea.  Joy of Almanzo's Belly has decided that these treats are too good to be kept to ourselves and is offering some up for grabs - she has even written a poem:
Home-made spiced parkin and loose tea from Fortnum's
Shortbread and fruitcake from my home to your tums
Beutifully wrapped up and tied tight with string
I hope that you enjoy these tea-time things!
She'll even throw in some Wensleydale cheese to enjoy with your fruitcake in the clasically Enlish way!
Prize code:  UK38

Gourmet?  Try the tasting menu at The Sportsman and tour of local farms with chef Stephen Harris

Ever been to Seasalter in Kent?  Well, here's a good excuse.  The winner of this prize wins a tasting menu at chef Stephen Harris's cult restaurant The Sportsman in Seasalter, as well as accompanying him on a tour of the local farms that supply the restaurant.  Harris forages, cures his own meat, churns his own butter and... makes his own salt! So clearly, a lot of love and care has gone into everything on your plate and it shows in the taste.
Prize code:  UK39

Have I succeeded in tempting you?  Want to know how to buy a ticket?  Here's how:

1. Choose the prize or prizes of your choice from the main Menu for Hope site. (This is the global list of all prizes donated this year. Alternatively, you can see only the UK prizes on Cooksister.) You must make sure to check the terms and conditions for the individual prizes BEFORE you bid, as some will come with restrictions regarding where they ship to or how long the prize is valid for.

2. Go to the donation site and make a donation.  The hosts do not handle the cash at all - it goes directly to Justgiving to be passed on to the World Food Programme.

3. Please specify the prize code of the prize you'd like in the 'Personal Message' section in the donation form when confirming your donation. Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a prize of your choice. If you are buying more than one ticket, please indicate how you would like the tickets to be allocated. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02. Please write 2xEU01, 3xEU02.

4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.

5. Please check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

Remember to check back on Chez Pim on Wednesday January 9 for the results of the raffle.

GOOD LUCK!

Comments

[Mike (Trig's dad)]

Let me encourage everyone in London (or with access to it) to buy raffle tickets for the day with Nuno Mendes at Bacchus. Believe me, this guy is cooking some of the best and most adventurous modern food in town. And yes - I'll put my money where my mouth is. The whole family is dining there this Sunday. Including my son Trig, who knows good food when he sees it. Believe me - a day at Bacchus could change your life.