As the tipple flowed, philanthropy soared
FINE wine and craft beer brought connoisseurs and socialites of Durban’s posh Kloof suburb to the local country club on Thursday night.
The tipple flowed for a good cause — proceeds from the evening boosted the coffers of The Robin Hood Foundation, a charity that assists disadvantaged children and the aged.
Guests piled into the dining area of the clubhouse, all armed with their complimentary wine glasses and beer mugs.
They had heeded the invite to dress in black and white, with stylish cocktail dresses and smart dinner jackets taking centre stage.
While many swarmed around the wine tables, which offered both the red and white variety, it was the craft beer stations that saw hordes descending for a sample.
Greg van Rooyen, from a Scottish craft beer house, explained that the beer was manufactured in a smaller brewery than the larger corporate kind. Van Rooyen gestured to the pile of empty bottles next to him — testament to the beer’s popu- larity that night.
Robin Hood’s Kim GriffithJones was ecstatic about the turnout. “It is wonderful that we have this kind of support for such a tremendous cause.”
There was no shortage of snacks for those who had the munchies — cheese boards, crackers and mini Italian tomatoes were wolfed down.
A band of waiters expertly wove their way through the crowd, their arms laden with trays of finger snacks from phyllo parcels to kebabs, samoosas and mini chicken skewers.
Socialites like Jenny Meier, Gerda Redman and Caron Crookes, all kitted out in designer apparel, were there to mingle while they sipped their wine.
Crookes said she accompanied her husband to many events.
John Evans, who could have been mistaken for pint-sized Hollywood star Danny DeVito, stole the show with his black and white outfit which was topped off with a white tie and beret. His wife Lin boasted that he had “great fashion sense”.
The evening ended with a lively auction, which bolstered the fundraising drive for the night.