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.