{"id":87998,"date":"2017-05-04T02:35:57","date_gmt":"2017-05-04T00:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/?p=87998"},"modified":"2017-05-06T20:29:53","modified_gmt":"2017-05-06T18:29:53","slug":"phoenix-charity-dinner-and-auction-at-tintswalo-raises-r290000-for-thula-thula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/phoenix-charity-dinner-and-auction-at-tintswalo-raises-r290000-for-thula-thula\/","title":{"rendered":"Phoenix Charity Dinner and Auction at Tintswalo raises R290000 for Thula Thula!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Last night I attended the Phoenix Charity Dinner and Auction at Tintswalo Lodge Atlantic, which raised R290000 towards Thula Thula, a non-profit organization which assists township residents in Hout Bay with replacing possessions lost in fires.<\/p>\n

I was invited to attend the Charity Dinner by Tintswalo PR consultancy Five Star PR owner \"\"Janie van der Spuy. I have only visited the five star accommodation property once before, before a devastating fire destroyed the property to ashes two years ago. I sat next to Tintswalo co-owner Lisa Goosen, and she gave me feedback about the devastating fire, and the rebirth of their lodge, one of three in the country. Tintswalo Atlantic is located on a 20 hectare concession site obtained by the Goosens within the Table Mountain National Reserve, the only business property to have achieved this within the Reserve. It officially opened twelve years ago.  Tintswalo lodges are also in the Manyleti Reserve in the Waterberg, and in Johannesburg. Tintswalo is a Shangaan word which expresses gratitude for the blessing of a gift. Lisa explained that they would like guests to feel this gratitude when they leave Tintswalo. <\/p>\n

As a gesture of gratitude to the assistance received in rebuilding the Tintswalo Lodge Atlantic from scratch, the owners decided to host an annual charity event by raising funds through an Auction dinner, the first held last year, the beneficiary charity being related to fire. <\/p>\n

Parking is in short supply on the property, which is located near the Hout Bay side of the toll station on Chapman’s Peak Drive, and it takes steel nerves to drive down the steep and winding  driveway, which only allows traffic in one direction, and not offering parking at the lodge. I managed to park \"\"midway up the hill, and was shuttled down to the Lodge. As there were so many guests attending the dinner it was a logistical challenge for us all to be taken to the Lodge, getting there just after sunset unfortunately. But the view onto the Karbonkelberg across the ocean is unbelievable.<\/p>\n

A pop-up gin bar had been set up for guests by Inverroche, organized by Mark McCarthy. ‘Roaming starters’ <\/i>(a first such concept I have heard of ) were served as small plates to each guest: exquisitely plated seared seabass, \"\"lemon velout\u00e9, butternut and Madagascan chili pur\u00e9e (left); and shiitake ragout served on crispy open pasta strips, with Gorgonzola (right). <\/p>\n

Until the sit-down dinner started, musician Ard Matthews entertained guests with his music. I met Chef Guy Clark near the entrance, where he was standing with his mother Di and Tracey Erskine Kirsten, both from Franschhoek. I first met Chef Guy when he was a Finalist \"\"in MasterChef SA season 1, in doing an interview with him. Despite his good looks, he has always remained humble and generous. Last year he invited me to try an innovative pop-up restaurant which he ran at Bellingham outside Franschhoek, with fellow MasterChef finalist Sam Nolan. He joined Tintswalo earlier this year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MasterChef SA: ‘Mr Nice Guy’ Guy Clark is a model finalist!<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n