Sky's the limit

Pictured are Marco Ricci and Veronica Fioravante serving dinners Kristy Burden and Paul Pang on a cherry picker in Auckland today . Photo / Doug Sherring

A sky-high dining experience will raise funds for the battle to save a treasured feature of central Auckland's old skyline.

The St David's Presbyterian Church on Khyber Pass shuts its doors today, and parishioners fear the 87-year-old building will be demolished by year's end.

The church's foundation stone was laid on Anzac Day 1927 as a memorial to World War I soldiers.

On October 22 the Uptown Business Association -- which covers the Eden Terrace, Grafton and Newton suburbs -- will host its "Uptown Rise and Dine" event, offering diners a three-course meal, plus views to die for via the seating arrangements on top of industrial scissor lifts.

The proceeds from the Trade Me auction for one of the intimate tables for two will be donated to the Friends of St David's group who are fighting for the church's survival.

The grandson of a long-serving former minister of St David's said the group was committed to doing all it could to save the "national treasure".

"To just demolish it because it needs some support and some investment is wrong," Paul Baragwanath said.

"We are going to do everything it takes to save this national treasure."

The "Uptown Rise and Dine" event is based on the aerial dining phenomena, popular in the UK.

Diners will be seated at tables perched between 6m and 8m in the air, providing panoramic views of Auckland's stunning skyline and harbour.

To top off the evening, they will be able to tuck into a three-course dinner prepared and served by the award-winning team from Gina's Italian Kitchen.

"It's a novel idea and we are happy that Uptown can be part of something truly unique which not only showcases our businesses but also our vibrant, exciting precinct which is definitely on the way up," Gary Holmes, general manager of Uptown Business Association said.

Joyce Fantoni, co-owner of Gina's Italian Kitchen, said the popular central Auckland restaurant was excited to be involved in the venture.

"We love the atmosphere we create here at Gina's but we're eager to get out of the kitchen and serve our food in such a novel setting," she said.

Aside from the table auctioned for St David's, the other tables would be given to winners of various online competitions.

Veronica Fioravante and Marco Ricci from Gina's are pictured serving diners Paul Pang and Kristy Burden as a practice run for the event.

www.uptown.co.nz