The concept, is a simple one – eating for charity. More than 50 restaurants in Shanghai and a further 39 in Beijing have donated tables for the nights of November 17 (Shanghai) and November 10 (Beijing). Each restaurant then values the worth of the meal on offer and patrons purchase a ticket for the restaurant of their choice for those nights.

 

Now running into its fourth year, Chi Fan for Charity was founded by American Michael Crain in Beijing. By joining his love of good dining and supporting worthy charities in China, Michael’s first trial of the venture in Beijing in 2009 raised more than 100,000 RMB.

Ticket prices vary according to restaurants, but 100 percent of each ticket sold goes to the Chi Fan for Charity which this year is supporting a number of charities across China.

 

The five recipient organizations of Chi Fan for Charity in 2012 include Heart to Heart Shanghai, founded in 2003 as Gift of Life Friends by Australian, Christine Cullen. Heart to Heart Shanghai provides support and financial assistance for Chinese children requiring heart surgery for congenital heart defects.

 

Another charity recipient is Baoji Xinxing Aid for Street Kids, an independent non-profit organization established in 2006 by former Medecins Sans Frontieres staff to help rehabilitate Chinese street children and return them to their families. Baoji Xinxing has the support of strong Australian partnerships including the Australian Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, the Australian Women’s Social Group Shanghai, Subway, ANZ, and BlueScope Lysaght.

 

The Starfish Project, headed up by Australian Pip Nelson is also a recipient of this year’s Beijing Chifan for Charity. The Starfish Project  was established in 2006 to empower exploited women in Asia.

 

The Chi Fan for Charity ticket also includes entry to exclusive after parties on the nights of November 10 and November 17 – at Ello Amici’s in Shanghai and Hatsune, Sanlitun in Beijing.

 

Last year’s Chi Fan for Charity raised 500,000 RMB across Shanghai and Beijing and this year hopes to double that.

 

Restaurants participating in this year’s Chi Fan for Charity include Australian owned Larder Bar and Grill, headed up by Steve Baker and his Australian Chef Lex Hauser, Australian David Laris’s restaurants, 12 Chairs, Fat Olive and Le Sheng, Michelle Garnaut’s M on the Bund and Australian Chef, Craig Willis, with his popular French Concession eatery, Mr Willis.

 

In Beijing, Australian-owned participants include Capital M and The Hutong.

 

Australian boutique wine distributor, The Wine Republic is also supporting the event. ■

 

*For more information and to purchase tickets, visit:  www.chifanforcharity.org

 

**To read an interview with Chi Fan for Charity founder, Michael Crain, click here.