A surge of last minute donations from business and community members has seen this year's CEO CookOff trump its target of raising $1 million.

Last year's inaugural event raised $945,000 and this year funds have reached $1,085,504 which will be shared between OzHarvest, The Big Issue and ONE80TC.

Held earlier this week, on Monday, 11 February 2013, St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney was the backdrop for the second annual event, seeing the cream of the crop of Australia's culinary scene gathered with top CEOs and business leaders from a wide range of fields to create a hearty meal for those in need.

CEOs including Alan Joyce from Qantas, Justin Hemmes from Merivale and Terry Davis from Coca-Cola Amatil Limited, Rachel Argaman from Toga Hotels, Geoff Wilson from KPMG, Maryanne Shearer from T2 and Lynn Kraus form Ernst & Young rolled up their sleeves and became sous chefs for the night. They partnered with 36 of Australia's top chefs and created a healthy meal for close to 1000 guests.

Neil Perry, Executive Chef of the Rockpool Group had his CEOs flipping and constructing his world-famous Rockpool burger, which of course was a hit. Poh Ling Yeow from Poh's Kitchen ordered her team of business leaders to create a pork stir-fry with cumin, garlic and lime with cous cous and a coconut and mint relish.

Meanwhile, Miguel Maestre led his sous chefs to create an impressive, full-of-flavour chicken and chorizo paella. Matt Moran, Peter Gilmore, Guillaume Brahimi and many more coveted chefs, all joined forces to create hearty meals feeding those in need on the chilly night.

Dessert included delectable apricot tarts, accompanied with ice cream churned and donated by culinary legend Maggie Beer and topped with pouring custard.

Legendary Australian rock band ICEHOUSE entertained the diners, as did the Australian Girls Choir and Debbie 'Spoons' Perry.

A joint initiative of OzHarvest and Qantas, the CEO CookOff aims to increase awareness of excess food which could be used to feed disadvantaged Australians, with a special focus in 2013 on women and youth in crisis.

OzHarvest founder and CEO Ronni Kahn said funds raised will allow her organisation to deliver at least one million additional meals to those in need, on top of the six million that OzHarvest already provides each year.

'We're so overwhelmed by the continued support that our top chefs, CEOs and generous donors have shown us, it's very heartening.

'We're absolutely over the moon that we were able to reach $1 million before the event even kicked off.

'The event offered the business leaders the chance to cook, serve and chat with those in need. It's important that we as a community do not ignore the issues of food access and homelessness that our most vulnerable Australians face day-to-day.'

OzHarvest has also been confirmed as an official partner of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) campaign called Eat.Think.Save which highlights the importance of food access.

For event images, a full list of CEOs and chefs who participated or to make a donation, visit: www.ceocookoff.com.au

Or to check out the action visit:
youtu.be/ZCQ6ayYpBys

Donations can be received until 28 February 2013.