Australia’s bushfires are nothing short of devastating, having burned through roughly 18 million acres over the last few harrowing months. Though they feel a world away from Los Angeles, they couldn’t be nearer to one of Oz’s own, chef Curtis Stone.
That’s why he’s donating 100 percent of his tasting menu’s profits. At Maude, Stone’s intricate and transportive menus change quarterly, whisking diners by plate and by glass to the world’s premier wine regions. The restaurant’s latest menu launched just yesterday, and it’s focused on the wild and diverse cuisine from South Australia: home to some of the country’s oldest and most immigrant-shaped dining scenes, and one of the regions hardest hit by the bushfires.
Today, Stone announced via Instagram that his South Australia menu—which runs now through March 28—will donate its proceeds to Drought Angels, a nonprofit that provides aid to Australian farmers and others in the agricultural industry who’ve been affected by natural disasters, including the current fires. (If you’re looking for other ways to donate, our friends at Time Out Melbourne have put together a helpful guide.)
Since 2016, each year Stone and his team have chosen one organization through his #Commit2One campaign, donating both money and time to the causes. This year’s choice couldn’t have been more timely or fitting for Maude, and L.A. diners can now taste the bounty of the region while supporting it.
Stone—along with Maude’s executive chef, Chris Flint, and its wine director, Andrey Tolmachyov—traversed South Australia and foraged its hills, resulting in a nine-course tasting menu that involves not only more familiar classics such as hand pies and smoked sausage, but also indigenous ingredients such as wattleseed and lemon myrtle. And really, any excuse to eat a Curtis Stone hand pie is a good one—but this cause couldn’t be better.
Maude’s South Australia menu runs now through March 28, with seats offered at $150 per person; classic wine pairing is available for an additional $125, while the reserve pairing can be enjoyed for an additional $250. Maude is located at 212 S Beverly Dr.