The Port Fairy Consolidated School has delivered the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program for 10 years and will host a ‘Harvest’ fundraising dinner on August 18. 

Chefs Ryan Sessions, Matt Murphy and Andy Hall will prepare welcome canapes and a four-course dinner at the school to raise money for the program. 

School kitchen garden co-ordinator and garden specialist Tracey Gray said she was excited about the event featuring the three local chefs. 

“They are donating their time and their skill as well that’s huge,” Ms Gray said. “They are coming to the party to help fund the program because they believe in it.

“We’ll be sitting and sharing the food on big harvest tables. It will be beautiful.” 

She said past and current students would serve the meals and the night would be a great celebration of the program’s 10-year milestone. 

Money raised from the night will be used to fund the program for the next two years. 

“We’ve managed to keep our program alive by doing things like dinners and cook books but this one is probably the most important one of them all because this will set us up for another few years. 

“It’s really about self perpetuating and self sustaining the program because the school doesn’t fund it. There’s some contributions it makes but it sits alone as its own program. 

“It's wonderful. We’re very excited.”  

Ms Gray said the students loved the program and it taught them hands-on skills, problem solving and how to work together as a team. “It really allows students to shine in a different class setting.”

Parent organiser Lisa Bayliss said it was going to be a great night and encouraged people to come along.

“I think it’s an important program for the school and I think the program offers kids another way to learn,” Miss Bayliss said. 

She said if successful, the dinner could become an annual or biennial fundraising event.

Tickets are $143.29 per person, including drinks, and can be purchased from eventbrite.com.au. Bookings close on Friday night.