Calling all Melbourne pasta enthusiasts, fans and foodies! This August, there will be no shortage of pasta at Melbourne CBD Italian diner, Ronnie’s as it proudly presents Pastapalooza – a month-long charitable celebration of pasta in partnership with some of its very best celebrity pals.
Pastapalooza will see each pal create a bespoke pasta recipe that will have a week-long star appearance on Ronnie’s menu. Four pastas will be on rotation created by some of Melbourne’s most beloved personalities including Diana Chan, Chantelle Otten, Chris Goulding and Christian Petracca.
With a focus on satisfying those winter cravings whilst making a difference, Ronnie’s will be donating a portion of proceeds from each pasta dish sold to a charity of the celebrity’s choice.
Kicking off Pastapalooza’s first week will be Boomers and NBL star, Chris Goulding. Stepping away from the basketball court and into the kitchen, Goulding’s spicy pork and fennel sausage rigatoni with ‘nduja pangrattato will be sure to be a slam-dunk with proceeds going towards Helping Hoops, a charity who use basketball to inspire, empower and support children and young people in local communities throughout Melbourne.
TV personality and MasterChef winner Diana Chan has created a mouth-watering Calamarata with housemade XO, grilled calamari and green onion – her take on a spaghetti bolognese and a dish she first created at a Christmas celebration with friends. Chan’s pasta proceeds will go to mental health charity Beyond Blue who look to address issues relating to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses.
For her chosen pasta, Australia’s favourite psycho-sexologist, Chantelle Otten is bringing a sexy orecchiette with broccolini, garlic, Cantabrico anchovy and pangrattato. Otten’s chosen charity is the Butterfly Foundation, who provide free and confidential support across Australia for those suffering from or caring for someone who has an eating disorder or body image issues. The charity has a personal connection to Otten, with pasta being a meal that always brought a smile during her own recovery from anorexia and bulimia in her early twenties.
Rounding out the field is AFL legend and Melbourne superstar midfielder Christian Petracca whose hearty confit duck ragu pappardelle with cranberry pangrattato is perfect for any cold winter night. Petracca has chosen Muscular Dystrophy Tasmania as his charity, who support Tasmanian families living with the genetic muscle deterioration disorder.
United by a love of pasta, friendship and making the world a better place – one bite at a time, Pastapalooza will offer excitement and surprises for all – you never know who will pop up!
Ronnie’s is open for lunch Monday-Friday, and dinner Monday-Saturday, with bookings and walk-ins, welcomed. We recommend you save the date – Pastapalooza awaits you!
For more info and bookings, please visit ronnies.melbourne
