So many people helped out during the summer bushfire crisis, it has been impossible to recognise everyone, but typical of those who answered the call were Rosh Shrestha and his team.
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When in doubt, make curry. That was the philosophy of a trio of chefs who, by torchlight, cooked 150 meals and delivered them to the Narooma Evacuation Centre on New Year's Eve.
Thousands of residents and holidaymakers had fled as the sky went from orange, to red, to black, the highway closed and electricity, phones and internet failed.
Up the road, at Wildfire restaurant in the Lynch's Hotel, Rosh Shrestha still had gas and the food he had purchased for that night's service
"New Year's Eve is the busiest day of the year," he said.
"We had had about 200 people booked.
"We cooked whatever we could and gave it to the people."
Rosh, his brother Roman and Stevie Hamal made chicken and lamb curries, sandwiches and salads and, with Niroj Khati, delivered them to the centre.
"That was the good part of it; we got to do some nice things for people," Rosh said.
The bad part was having to throw out all produce they could not quickly cook, give away or safely store, as their cool room had no power.
Community power is so beautiful
- Rosh Shrestha
"We had to chuck all the food out," Rosh said.
Disappointingly, their insurance policy did not cover perished food.
Rosh felt for everyone around him.
"The worst part was seeing people faces; everyone was worried," he said.
"Whenever I think of those moments it gives me goosebumps. It was a black day."
Yet he took comfort in the people of Narooma.
READ MORE: Free wi-fi dished up to evacuees at Narooma
"This community is amazing," Rosh said.
"The community came along, most businesses opened after a week and the locals supported each other."
He decided to make the Eurobodalla Shire his home a decade ago ... and a bushfire could not change that.
"Community power is so beautiful. That is why I have been here for 10 years," he said.
"I would like to thank our customers and the people throughout this region for supporting us through COVID; we are back on our feet."
Rosh grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal. He moved to Sydney 26 years ago and has studied hospitality and commercial cookery.
