Bayleys Plate up for a Purpose - Jeremy Dixon

Name: Jeremy “Toast Master” Dixon

Title and Company: CEO Isaac Construction Ltd

What is your cooking experience? Limited, very limited. Mainly toast for my 4-year-old. At a stretch I can do a solid roast, a decent chocolate self-saucing pudding and once every month or so a Sunday meal for the family where I try to do something a bit different. My wife says I am possibly the best egg poacher in the world (possibly because she is the worst – please don’t tell her).

What is your signature dish? Whitebait patties and buttery bread – just like my Nana used to make. I dish them up for my wider family and every time I make them it reminds me of her and my Grandad.

Why are you cooking to help disadvantaged Canterbury children? Definitely not to impress the punters that sit at the tables I will be serving - unless they have poached eggs! I am doing it because it is something I can personally give my time to as a great cause that I really believe in. It is a cause I can see making an immediate and long-term difference to our community. The goal is very clear and simple and will have such a big impact on the children, their families, and ultimately our community as these kids are given the opportunity they deserve to be ready to learn. My wife, Fiona, and my daughter are also very passionate about giving back and helping others. The Christchurch City Mission Back to School programme is something we can be involved in together. As a family we will try to get as much support for the cause as possible. Knowing my daughter is going to school next year has made me really think about what some people in our community go through in order to try to have their kids kitted out for school.

What does being part of Bayleys Plate Up for a Purpose mean to you and your organisation? Isaac Construction has a core value which states that we are “a place where people matter”, and we truly believe this. The Christchurch City Mission Back to School programme aligns with our core value 100%. I have a passion for seeing people develop to be the best they can be and achieve what they didn’t think possible. In my experience, when people are given an opportunity to grow or achieve, they usually make the most of it. The Christchurch City Mission Back to School programme provides children the opportunity they need around being ready to learn and better themselves.

How can the general public help you? Just get on board for the cause. I will be working hard to raise as much money as possible, but I am really relying on you to back me and the cause. I have 10 seats to the event at my disposal, to get the ball rolling – the first donation of $500 or more gets a seat at the table on the evening (likely one of the cheapest tickets around and an offer that may not be repeated). I will be doing regular updates with new prizes and rewards for donors especially the biggest spenders. Put your hands in your pockets people … deep into your pockets!