Diwali partnership shines a brilliant light on Asia’s forgotten elephants

November 2018

Elephant Family partnered with JKS Restaurants for an elephant-infused Diwali that brought Asia’s elephants to the heart of London in 2018.

Marking the 10-year anniversary of JKS Restaurants, Gymkhana, Trishna and Brigadiers all supported Elephant Family’s work throughout November and into December.

Beautiful Elephant Parade sculptures grazed at the three London restaurants and were open to bids to raise funds for Asian elephant conservation. Michelin starred Gymkhana also offered a traditional Keralan three-course vegetarian lunch menu.

The Mayfair restaurant was also the venue for an exclusive ‘From India with Love’ dinner. Among many lending their support were actresses Amy Jackson, Camilla Rutherford and Olivia Grant. Guests enjoyed an intimate cocktail reception, before tucking into a Michelin-starred Indian feast, prepared by the restaurant’s new executive chef, Jitin Joshi.

Jyotin Sethi, co-founder of JKS restaurants, said: “We are extremely proud to be supporting Elephant Family during our anniversary celebration. We hope that together we will be able to raise awareness about the Asian elephant, often overshadowed by its African counterpart.”

With a discretionary £1 donation to Elephant Family added to each bill throughout November and December at all participating JKS Restaurants, over £20,000 raised at the dinner and great press coverage, it was a Diwali that shone a brilliant light onto the plight of Asia’s endangered elephants.

Image above: Guests enjoying the From India with Love dinner included actresses Amy Jackson and Olivia Grant and artist Philip Colbert - Image copyright Dave Bennett/Getty Images