More than 130 guests raised over $100,000 at this year’s Plating for a Purpose gala dinner, marking a record fundraising result for Western Australian charity Healthy Mind Menu (HMM) and its mission to improve mental health across the hospitality industry.
The annual event brought together some of Perth’s most celebrated chefs, hospitality leaders, and supporters for an evening of exceptional food and generosity, featuring a keynote address from WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat.
HMM Chairman Wayne Teo said this year’s record result reflected the compassion and solidarity within the state’s hospitality community.
“The generosity shown by our guests was nothing short of extraordinary,” he said.
“Every dollar raised goes directly towards programs that help hospitality workers manage stress, build resilience and create mentally healthy workplaces. It’s heartening to see our community come together for such a worthy cause.”
Now in its fifth year, Plating for a Purpose continues to shine a light on the mental health challenges facing hospitality workers, with one in three experiencing high psychological distress, triple the national average.
Funds raised from the event will support HMM’s evidence-based initiatives, including wellbeing workshops, leadership training, research projects and the Back of House, Front of Mind podcast, all aimed at reducing burnout and improving mental health literacy across the sector.
Teo said the success of the event highlighted the growing recognition that mental health is a shared responsibility.
“Cafés, pubs, restaurants and bars are more than workplaces — they’re places where people connect and belong,” he said. “A healthy hospitality industry means a healthier community, and we’re incredibly proud of the role Healthy Mind Menu plays in driving that change.”
The 2025 Plating for a Purpose dinner closed out World Mental Health Month with a strong message of hope, collaboration and care, demonstrating the power of the industry when it comes together to support its people.