Topsham, Devon, March 3, 1997 Thirty-five lucky guests sat down at Nello's Ristorante Italiano on February 23rd to enjoy a memorable gourmet evening, and in the process raised over £1200 for the benefit of two important cancer charities, Exeter's own FORCE, and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Chef Michael Caines, star of the highly rated restaurant at Gidleigh Park, Chagford, joined proprietor/chef Nello Ghezzo in Nello's restaurant kitchen, ably assisted by John Brandon, Deputy Headmaster of St. Thomas Comprehensive, to prepare a very special meal for the assembled guests: crostini in cinque modi (Tuscan bread appetizers); fritto misto di mare, a lightly fried medley of mixed fish and shellfish prepared Venetian style by Nello; boeuf bourguignonne, beef slow-cooked in an intensely flavoured Burgundy wine sauce prepared by Michael; and an English bread-and-butter pudding by amateur chef John that had the appreciative guests shouting out for more. A selection of special wines from Australia, Italy and England to accompany each course was chosen by Topsham wine-and-food writer Marc Millon.
The evening formed part of Nello and Marc's Ride for Life series of fundraising events for cancer research which over coming months will include other such events based around the themes of food, wine, and sporting activities, including wine tastings, evenings of regional food and wine, and activity days. The culminating event is the Ride for Life itself, when the Topsham food-and-wine duo will set off on June 12th from the Topsham Quay to cycle some 1,300 miles to Venice, Italy. The pair plan to arrive in St. Mark's Square about sixteen days later ‹ and in the process raise a total in excess of £10,000 for their chosen beneficiaries.
Venice as a destination has poignant and pressing motivations. Nello himself comes from Rosolina Mare, on the edge of the Venetian lagoon, but was forced to flee as a small child when severe flooding caused the family to abandon their home, losing everything in the process. Marc's mother, who died recently of cancer, lived in Venice for some years during the mid-80's and Marc and his family visited her there often.
During this same period, coincidentally, Exeter cancer specialist Dr. Chris Rowland, Chairman of Force, was pioneering the advanced Selectron machine in conjunction with the radiotherapy department of the Civic Hospital of Venice. The Selectron allows a source of radiation to be placed into a tumour through a very fine, needle-like tube, thus targeting the treatment while minimising side effects. This has helped bring relief to hundreds of Westcountry cancer patients as well as saved lives. Eleven years on, a new, upgraded version of the machine, the microSelectron-HDR is now required to meet the needs of Westcountry patients. Nello and Marc's Ride for Life has allied itself to FORCE's Selectron Machine Appeal in order to ensure that the acquisition of this equipment will put Exeter back at the leading edge of this important cancer therapy.
The Ride for Life/Selectron Machine Appeal will be officially launched in the presence of the Mayor at the Exeter Guildhall on March 11th. Nello and Marc's next big fundraising event is an Easter Monday BBQ and Sports Day in Topsham. Call Marc on (01392) 873778 or Nello on (01392) 877937 for futher details or if you would like to help or take part.
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