Inspirasia Foundation’s series of 17 fine dining events is well on its way to reaching its €100,000 target in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund.

The first 15 dinners, at Verdala Palace, were taken up immediately by corporates who hosted clients to a six-course meal by American celebrity chef Tim Butler. A total of €5,000 from each dinner goes to the Community Chest Fund.

The man behind Inspirasia, Mark Weingard, has also come up with another fund-raising idea, themed ‘Esenzi at the Palace’, consisting of a gala dinner on June 26 for 68 guests at €375 per head.

TIm Butler plates his kitchen's creations. Photo: Jonathan Borg

The eight-course meal will be prepared by Mr Butler and Michelin-starred chefs the Costardi Brothers.

“This is more than people would normally spend but it is going to be a truly marvellous occasion. Add to the food and wines the unique location at Verdala and the fact that 100 per cent of the money they pay for the meal will go to the Fund, with my foundation covering the cost of the meal and Charles Grech covering the wines,” Mr Weingard said.

The last event will be a ‘thank you’ dinner for the corporates, under the patronage of the President.

The Inspirasia Foundation was set up by Mr Weingard in Bali 15 years ago and used a percentage of revenue – not profit – from his Iniala Resort to run a variety of philanthropic causes, overseen by Louisa Attard.

Since 2003, it has given over €10 million to different NGOs in Indonesia, Thailand, India and more recently in Malta.

More information from gala@iniala.com.

Photo: Jonathan Borg