DINE AT MINE FOR CHARITY WITH LAKAZ MAMAN | AD

*This was a gifted meal in return for a blog post with Southampton Children's Hospital charity! The charity is very close to my heart and all words, pictures and opinions are honest and my own*

Last month I headed to Lakaz Maman for a charity event with Southampton Children's hospital charity. This charity is one thats very close to my heart. I spent sometime being cared for by the  children's hospital when I was 15, 16 and 17. I have then used their services with both Lucas and Rufus. Lucas had weird vaccant episodes when he was a baby and Rufus has numerous things he's being cared for under the hospital too. I was so happy to be invited along to support this charity and also to try by the amazing, masterchef winner herself Shelina Permalloo! I have tried her food before at a breakfast event and that was AMAZING, so I knew it would be a delicious and I was not disappointed.

The idea behind the event is 'Dine at Mine' and it's something you can do at home to raise a bit of awareness and a bit of money. May is Dine at Mine month and I would say to invite your friends round next weekend and have a little go! You can always do it in June, July, August or well any month too. You could even do a monthly get together and work your way around your friends homes, eating their food and host at yours of course too. Like a 'come dine at mine' and you just chuck a few pennies in the pot. Find your fundraiser kit HERE.

The Dine at mine event was held in Shelina's restaurant in Bedford place in Southampton. She is a proud endorser of the Dine at Mine charity which was founded by the Children's hospital charity.
When we arrived we were greeted by everyone and offered a drink before mingling with other guests. It's always nice to get to meet new people and talk and get to know everyone.

The decor is amazing in Lakaz Maman and as i've mentioned in previous blog posts, something that is a huge plus for me. Is it aesthetically pleasing? yes amazing. Then of course the food! It was a three course meal and I was sceptical, not because the food in Lakaz Maman isn't good but because i'm such a bland Betty and stick to the same foods mostly BUT I was so impressed, I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried new foods and they were lovely.

The starter was Pineapple with brown sugar and a little spice which was lovely! I am a huge pineapple fan as it is. There was also a butterbean pate (sort of butterbean houmous) and some aubergine in a butterbean batter and some chilli cakes. I actually enjoyed all of this. I also couldn't stop dipping rotis in a mango and chilli dip which was amazing!! Mouthwatering, tongue on fire deliciousness.

The main consisted of a few different things aubergine and seabass curry and a butterbean Rougaille and some amazing tasting rice. The rice was amazing. I could have eaten the whole lot.

Desert was my favourite, I am a huge desert lover and this did not disappoint. It was a Tropical, coconut pavlova and out of this world kind of good. So many flavours and just amazing. So impressed, I want to eat it now just thinking about it.

I had such a lovely evening and it was nice to be supporting a charity that has supported myself and my family in the past. We supported the charity last Summer too when Lucas ran for the charity, coming third bless his heart. I think it's so important to help out the services we use or may use or have used as there is so much that goes into a hospital that you forget about.

So, get your friends round and start fundraising! Also a huge thank you to Lakaz Maman, SCH charity and Alice at Southampton bloggers (who just celebrated their 5th birthday) for the invite too. A great evening of laughter, food and fun hosted by three very wonderful hosts all in support of a great charity.