SERVING those who serve us is behind The Vue Restaurant’s decision to offer local SES members an evening of fine dining without ever needing to open their wallet.
Those attending will get to experience something a little out of the ordinary because Boonah Police Sergeant Peter Boyce has offered to hang up the handcuffs and put on an apron to serve those dining.
The establishment’s owners Mikayla and Brendan Kruger have their own history with the SES and the inside view means they understand how much work and time this type of commitment needs.
“My husband’s family have been quite big in the SES, he was a member when he was a teenager and his mum only stopped being a member recently due to health reasons,” Mrs Kruger said.
“We thought it would be good to do an annual fundraiser and this is the first year of doing just that.”
The couple decided each year a different sector of the local emergency services would be treated in this way.
“Next year we are thinking of making it for services like police and ambulance personnel, just to give back to the people who are running them,” she said.
The restauranteurs have had their business for two years and enjoy success in doing what they love most.
“We are a part of the community and understand our emergency services have been quite stressed of late, attending to accidents, people getting stuck hiking ... the town’s been really busy with tourists and people who don’t know the area.
“We recognise everything they do for us and this is our way of giving back to them.”
Anyone who is not a current member of the West Scenic Rim SES will be helping the service because the cost of their meal will be donated in full.
“Non member’s meal payments will be donated in its entirety to the western Scenic Rim SES,” she explained, saying, “we won’t make any money off the food.”
RSA regulations mean alcohol is the only item needing payment, but all other beverages will be free.
“We have had a few of our staff members say they’ll work for free that evening too, which is brilliant,” she said.
“They too recognise the part the SES play so they are more than happy to help out.”
When it comes to menu items there are no limits, and their special guests can eat as much of whatever they want.
“We have our normal ala carte menu and they can choose whatever they want, if they want multiple starters, multiple mains, multiple desserts ... they can,” she said.
“The same goes with the other guests because anything they order goes into the West Scenic Rim SES donation pool.
“It’s actually a really good way to make a donation while getting something out of it.”
The dinner at The Vue Restaurant is set for Monday July 10 between 5.30pm and 8pm.
Bookings are essential.