Matt's plight has become national

Matt Golinski.

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A FORMER Noosa chef and close friend of Matt Golinski will raise at least $12,000 from a fundraising dinner for his recovery fund in South Australia next month.

Proving just how wide the Boxing Day tragedy had spread, Justin Miles, now the executive chef and co-owner of the Adelaide-based restaurant, Windy Point, has organised the event in the Golinski family's honour.

Mr Miles worked under Matt at Ricky Ricardo's in Noosa Heads in 2001-2002 before moving to Noosa Springs and eventually down south.

"We're great mates and great colleagues. I like to think we're like minded in our passion for food," Mr Miles said.

"It's a tragedy that has resonated nationally. Within the hospitality industry, even here, it's something we've rallied around."

The five-course degustation dinner scheduled for 120 people on March 18 booked out two weeks ago at $100 a head.

All food and wine has been donated and staff will work for free on the evening to ensure all funds raised are passed on to the Matt Golinski Recovery Fund.

Mr Golinski remains in a heavily sedated state at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, however his condition has been downgraded from critical to serious.

Mr Golinski is not yet able to speak and is undergoing bouts of surgery but Matt's father, Keith Golinski, said that there had been some encouraging signs regarding his son's progress.

"Although Matt remains heavily sedated he is now mainly breathing on his own, his burns are healing well and there have been some small breakthroughs in his recovery, such as Matt responding physically to requests posed by medical staff and family.

"As his level of sedation is still quite high, and he can not yet speak, it remains unclear as to whether Matt is fully aware of what is happening but it's definitely progress in the right direction."

To donate go to the Matthew Golinski Recovery Fund Bank: ANZ BSB: 014 672 Account number: 263 331 805