Bunbury Volkswagen 2022 Chefs Long Table Lunch to go ahead ‘as planned’ despite new COVID-19 restrictions

The organisers behind Bunbury’s premier culinary event insist it will be going ahead this year, despite new COVID-19 restrictions. It was revealed earlier this year Perth seafood king Jerry Fraser will be the headline chef at the Bunbury Volkswagen 2022 Chefs Long Table Lunch, joined by some of the South West region’s leading culinary experts. In a statement, the event’s executive said it will “proceed as planned” with “strict adherence to all SafeWA COVID regulations”. And it means organisations such as Riding for the Disabled and the South West Women’s Refuge are still in line for a massive boost, thanks to the luncheon’s charity work. The organisation has supported more than 100 beneficiaries in its 19-year history. South West Women’s Refuge chief executive Ali White said money the group had received previously from the lunch had gone towards infrastructure upgrades, which leaves funds for implementation of important support programs. “When women are staying in their homes and the perpetrator of family violence is removed we normally put locks on their doors and windows and install things like cameras or solar lights,” she said. “We were a recipient also the year before and we got $20,000 to install solar panels on the refuge to reduce our energy bills and use the money for other programs.” Riding for the Disabled will be a beneficiary for the first time in 2022 and board member Michael Finn said the group was “very appreciative”. “It will assist in operating one of the programs for younger people who may or may not be disabled, but are vulnerable,” he said. “We are a completely self-funded organisation so to be able to access a grant like this significantly helps to deliver the program.” The Bunbury Volkswagen 2022 Chefs Long Table Charity Lunch will be held on March 13 at the Pat Usher Foreshore and tickets can be purchased via email to tickets@chefslongtable.com.au