The Melbourne/Sydney rivalry is well known and now the Melbourne restaurant community is putting the pressure on Sydney’s restaurant to show they have as much heart.

Victorian restaurants have been involved with restaurant based fund-raising initiative for the homeless, StreetSmart, for the past three years and its now being expanded to NSW. Those who’ve taken part in Melbourne are keen to encourage their Sydney counterparts to join.

The campaign, which started in the UK, involves participating restaurants over the period of the campaign proposing to customers that they add a $2 donation be the table’s bill.

In Victoria last year more than 77 top restaurants raised $78,829 with the money going to 19 organisations that help the homeless. Some Melbourne restaurants involved last year include Bistro 1, Café Fidama, ezard, Harvey’s, Il Solito Posto, Lake House, Mecca, Red Tongue Café, Syracuse, Termini, Tuck’s Ridge and Verge.

Sydney chef Christine Manfield has been involved with StreetSmart at her London restaurant East@West. She says it has been very successful with a range of restaurants taking part. “It went across the board from modest places to all the noted restaurants,” Manfield says. “Anyone with a social conscience was involved. It doesn’t cost anything and, for the restaurant its easy and effective.”

Melbourne restaurateur Cath Claringbold from Mecca Group has been involved with StreetSmart with her restaurants for the past three years. “Imagine the impact on homeless people’s lives if hundred of restaurants were part of StreetSmart, that’s our aim.”

So far restaurants confirmed to take part in Sydney include Longrain, Toby’s Estate, Bird Cow Fish, Bistro Moncur, La Grande Bouffe, The Barn, Il Piave, Bistro Stock, Canteen, Coast, Manta, Oh Calcutta, and RQ.

The campaign this year runs from November 13 to December 24. For more information visit www.streetsmartaustralia.org or call 03 9836 1926.