Online bids for tables of ten at over 40 of Melbourne and Victoria's top restaurants will be open from 26 August to 16 September 2008 as part of Kitchen Garden Week (6 – 13 October 2008). Bidding proceeds will go to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.

Winning bidders and their guests will take their seats during Kitchen Garden Week and be treated to a four-course meal echoing the fresh, seasonal approach that underlies the Kitchen Garden philosophy, beautifully matched wines and an opportunity to meet the restaurant's executive chef.

Restaurants donating tables include Vue de monde, Grossi Florentino, The Press Club, 312, Longrain and The Botanical, as well as renowned regional restaurants like Royal Mail, Simone's and Stefano's.

As part of Kitchen Garden Week, executive chefs will be paired with local Kitchen Garden Program primary schools. Chefs such as Shannon Bennett, Guy Grossi and George Colombaris will assume a mentoring role by visiting their partnered schools to see the Kitchen Garden Program in action, working with the children during a kitchen or garden class.

Stephanie Alexander said Kitchen Garden Week would raise much-needed funds for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation's support of the Program in participating Victorian schools and the imminent Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Pilot Project.

"As well as boosting our ability to continue our work with schools, Kitchen Garden Week is about raising awareness of pleasurable food education for young children. The Foundation's belief is that through the program's emphasis on growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh produce, we have the chance to positively influence children's food choices, creating positive life-long habits," she said.

"We have been overwhelmed with the support received from Victoria's best restaurants and it is wonderful to be able to share these special dining experiences with winning bidders and their guests." Upon arrival, the group will be greeted and seated by the local students. Each table will be decorated with gorgeous table runners and placemats designed by the children.

As part of Kitchen Garden Week, a full program of children's events will take place in many of the 27 primary schools across Victoria that house the productive and extensive gardens alongside beautiful kitchens. From Twilight Suppers featuring vegetable soup prepared by the children using ingredients from their garden, candlelight garden tours and marshmallow roasting to best dressed scarecrow competitions – visitors can see how the food-lovers of tomorrow are learning to love new flavours and textures. The week concludes with the inaugural national Kitchen Garden Program Conference on Monday 13 October, open to all teachers, educators, public health professionals, parents and interested individuals from around Australia.

For further details visit www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au or call (03) 8415 1993

Participating restaurants: Attica, B.coz, Bacash, Becco, Botanical, Bottega, Café Di Stasio, Cicciolina, Circa, Delizia Cucina, Donovans, Esposito at Toofey's, Ezard, Grossi Florentino, Lamaro's, Longrain, Matteo's, Melbourne Wine Room, Mo Mo, Pearl, Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sapore, Stokehouse, Taxi Dining Room, The Press Club, Three One Two, Trunk, Vue de monde, A la Grecque, Annie Smithers Bistrot, Bella Vedere, Bittern Cottage, Healesville Hotel, Montalto, Range, Royal Mail Hotel, Simone's Restaurant, Stefano's, The Bridge.