Table for 2000: First-rate dining in an unexpected place - the streets of the DTES

Dec 19 2017, 5:08 pm

How does an upscale group of restaurants bring hope, help and dignity to those most in need in our community at Christmas? They bring the restaurant to the people.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2013, the Glowbal Collection of restaurants will partner with Union Gospel Mission to provide a festive dining experience in the heart of the Downtown Eastside. Princess Avenue will be closed, elegant tents and heaters will be erected, toe-tapping jazz and live Christmas music will be provided and a festive culinary feast will be served. Valet shopping cart parking and pet care will also be available free of charge to further enhance the Christmas dining experience.

DTES UGM Table for 2000

Five years ago, the Glowbal Collection of restaurants approached Union Gospel Mission asking how they might be able to use their skills and resources to help the neighbourhood. After thoughtful consideration, Table for 2000—and a unique partnership—was born. Now in its fifth year, Table for 2000 actually served 2,300 meals last year and this year is ready to serve 3,000.

The stylish block party occurs just outside the Union Gospel Mission. The warm beautiful, spacious tents not only demonstrate the elegance of the event, but they permit hundreds of people to be seated at a time, getting them out of the cold and encouraging them to feel settled without a need to rush off.

DTES UGM Table for 2000

The deluxe roast beef dinners are prepared by Glowbal’s own professional chefs. The meals are served by 130 volunteers who are hosts, servers, chefs and management from Glowbal’s eight restaurants, as well Glowbal friends and family. Coffee and hot chocolate is provided by and served by Starbucks.

DTES UGM Table for 2000

The valet shopping cart service provided by UGM allows guests to relax and dine leisurely with the knowledge that their belongings are secure. Wheelin’ Mobility and BC Rehab will be onsite to fix broken wheelchairs and scooters, and the SPCA will be on-hand to care for and feed dogs and other pets.

At the end of the evening, guests will leave with a bag full of goodies and card to help add some holiday cheer to their Christmas season.

Table for 2000

Table for 2,000 runs from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday December 17, but members of the media are welcome earlier in the day for film set up. The event will be held on Princess Avenue between Hastings and Cordova, just outside of UGM. The street will be closed to traffic for this event.

DTES UGM Table for 2000

Over 200 Glowbal servers, chefs, hosts and community members are collaborating to make this event possible. They will be serving a full meal complete with roast beef, mash potatoes, mixed vegetables, garden salad and apple crumble.  Fresh coffee and hot chocolate will be generously provided and brewed by Starbucks.

The meal will be accompanied by live music from Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Band, Hot Club of Mars jazz band, and the Vancouver Academy of Music, as well as an appearance from Santa Clause himself! For the first time this year BC Rehab and Wheelin’ Mobility will be onsite to fix wheelchairs and scooters.

DTES UGM Table for 2000

Watch this clip from last year’s Table for 2000:

[vimeo id=”55987433″]

The Glowbal Collection is comprised of eight restaurants: glowbal grill steaks & satay, Coast Restaurant, Italian Kitchen, Trattoria Italian Kitchen, Society, Black+Blue, The Fish Shack, and The Roof; two IK2GO locations; and two lounges: AFTERglow and O Lounge. Visit www.glowbalgroup.com for more.

About Union Gospel Mission

Union Gospel Mission has been feeding hope and changing the lives of men, women, and children for over 70 years. Through its 7 locations in Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission, UGM provides counseling, education, safe housing, and alcohol and drug recovery to those struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addiction. The heart of the mission is to demonstrate God’s transforming love, ease the burden of the most vulnerable, rebuild the lives of the broken, and offer dignity to those who feel cast aside.

To find out more, visit www.ugm.ca.

 

Images: Submitted

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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