Fundraising Event

Gathered for Gaza Dinner

03.17.26

2-3 min

Jacqui Lau

A fundraising dinner co-hosted with medium—rare

When our good friend and talented collaborator Arianne from medium—rare reached out about hosting a fundraising dinner in support of Gaza, our answer was immediate: Yes!

The truth is, there are many issues in the world we care deeply about. From Sudan to Jamaica, immigration and ICE, and many others. If we could support every cause that deserves attention, we would. But sometimes the moment, the people around you, and the opportunity to help come together in a very specific way. In this case, this was the one we felt compelled to support.

We first met Arianne through Brian’s sister Trudy, who shared her portfolio with us a while back. I remember thinking, we have to work together! Arianne spent five years at SSENSE in the creative department before launching medium—rare, her own practice that brings together culinary direction, food styling, and event production across brand activations, openings, showrooms, and private gatherings.

Our first collaboration came through a photoshoot with Ruru Baked. From there, our conversations naturally expanded into other ideas, including a concept we had floated around a watermelon-themed fundraiser. It came from both our shared love of ice cream and the symbolism of the watermelon within Palestinian solidarity. That idea didn’t quite come together at the time, but it opened the door to something bigger.

A few months later, Arianne came back with a new proposal: an intimate fundraising dinner.

Once again, the answer was yes.

For the project, we invited designer Raeda Sarwar to collaborate with us on the visual identity and graphic materials, while Arianne led the event production and culinary direction.

I have to give full credit to Arianne for bringing the evening to life. She coordinated the entire dinner and sourced incredible food partners who generously donated what became a three-course meal. Arianne also prepared additional dishes that turned it into a four-course experience.

The dinner took place on February 18 at Standard Time on Geary Ave in Toronto, who very generously offered their space in support of the event. The evening brought together a small group of chefs, producers, creatives, dear friends, and family.

100% of proceeds were donated to organizations providing urgent relief and long-term aid in Gaza, including @heal.palestine and @ele_elna_elak.