A fundraiser dinner planned for this coming Tuesday on White Rock鈥檚 waterfront aims to celebrate an 鈥渋conic humanitarian鈥� while raising support and awareness for youth dealing with mental illness.
Tyson Blume of Uli鈥檚 Restaurant (15021 Marine Dr.) said 100 per cent of proceeds from #BourdainDay for DiscoverY will be donated to Sources DiscoverY program, which offers short-term counselling for struggling youth and young adults.
The fundraiser was planned in honour Anthony Bourdain, the well-known chef, author and TV personality who took his own life a year ago in France.
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In material promoting the fundraiser, Blume describes Bourdain as 鈥渁n international treasure.鈥�
鈥淔or me personally, I have never been so sad to lose someone I have never met and I think part of that is because you could see how genuine of a human being he was,鈥� Blume writes.
Blume told Peace Arch News that he appreciated Bourdain鈥檚 鈥渢ake on the world,鈥� and how he provided insights on people and places that many would otherwise have never imagined.
鈥淗is show was really more about people than it was about food,鈥� Blume said Wednesday. 鈥淗e just brought you to families鈥� real-life stuff.
鈥淭here鈥檚 not enough of those kind of people in this world. Unfortunately, I think it was also his undoing.鈥�
Noting Bourdain was said to have taken his life as a result of years struggling with mental illness, specifically depression, Blume said he could see how some of the things Bourdain saw in his travels could take a toll.
Celebrating Bourdain while supporting a program that helps youth navigating a difficult journey was an easy decision, said Blume.
鈥淚f you can help one child or youth, that鈥檚 huge,鈥� he said.
Tickets to the dinner 鈥� which is taking place on what would have been Bourdain鈥檚 63rd birthday 鈥� are $125.
Blume noted that guests familiar with Bourdain will notice a theme in the evening鈥檚 eight-course menu.
鈥淎 lot of the meals鈥� there鈥檚 some play on stuff that he liked,鈥� he said.
鈥淪even of them, if you watch enough shows, you鈥檇 recognize a kind of play on what he liked.鈥�
As example, Blume pointed to the planned dessert, which is a cheese dish. It鈥檚 鈥渂ecause he hated baking.鈥�
For tickets to Tuesday鈥檚 event, call 604-538-9373.
