Students at Embrace training with Chef Christophe, Formerly of Le Tres Bon. Photo: Supplied.
Three Canberra region chefs are joining forces to craft a French truffle degustation that will help support employment for people with disabilities.
Hosted by Matt Morrissey, owner of the social enterprise Embrace Disability Group, the A French Affair dinner on 25 July will see Matt, a trained chef, joined by his head chef at Embrace, Scott Gooch and knighted French chef Christophe Gregoire.
Together their five-course French truffle menu will feature truffles and produce grown by chef Christophe on his own trufferie in the Bungendore region, as well as the best of local seasonal produce.
Matt, Scott and Christophe won’t be alone in the endeavour. Matt’s hospitality team, 75 per cent of whom live with a disability, will be hands on to put into practice the extensive training they receive from Embrace, including both front of house jobs and roles within the kitchen.
“When the community shows up to an event like A French Affair, they’re doing so much more than enjoying a beautiful meal – they’re backing a movement,” Matt said.
Matt Morrissey (second from right) and his team catered for TV personality Karl Stefanovic (far right). Photo: Supplied.
The movement that Matt refers to relies on ACT & NSW school canteen contracts as its primary income, but also requires continual cash flow from private catering gigs and events.
Hosting their own truffle dinner and leveraging the expertise and profile of chef Christophe is just another way to ensure the finances are secured to keep alive the mission of access to employment for people with disabilities.
“The community support means we can continue creating real jobs and meaningful training for people with disabilities, helping to build a more inclusive hospitality industry,” Matt said.
The culinary friendship between Embrace Disability Group and Chef Christophe and his wife Josephine, formerly of Bundendore’s Le Tres Bon restaurant, goes back to 2023.
Matt said Christophe and Josephine were very generous people and after hearing about the work Embrace did, they reached out and invited Embrace to do a collaboration dinner at their restaurant.
The success of the night has led to a broader friendship, one that they look forward to continuing with A French Affair. The event will also offer a rare opportunity for the public to dine with the popular and accomplished chef Christophe.
Since closing Le Tres Bon in 2023, Christophe only makes occasional appearances around the region.
Chef Christophe Gregoire and his Le Tres Bon team in action. Photo: Supplied.
Matt’s mission is driven by community and while seeking the support of the regional community for his truffle dinner, it’s evident that he built his own community when he formed Embrace.
In 2022 Matt lost his Queanbeyan cafe, Bean Central, due to financial issues. Despite losing everything, Matt focused on securing employment for his largely disabled team of employees, a task that was challenging because few were willing to take them on.
In a final desperate bid, Matt took on the contract for the canteen at the new Jerrabomberra High School and Embrace Disability Group was formed. Now employing more than 70 people, Matt and his team are breaking down barriers faced by those living with disabilities.
“This event is about more than food – it’s about collaboration, celebration and showing what’s possible when we bring together great chefs and even greater purpose,” he said.
“We want people to walk away with full bellies and full hearts.”
Tickets to A French Affair, at the regional sports complex in Jerrabomberra on 25 July from 6:30 pm, are $160 per person and can be purchased at Try Booking.
