Media Release – 3 March 2015

Beef bourguignon, bouillabaisse, brothl soup and Matt Moran’s famous family lamb recipe were all on the menu at last night’s (2 March) OzHarvest CEO CookOff held at Carriageworks.

More than 120 of Australia’s top CEOs and business leaders teamed up with 40 top chefs to cook and prepare meals for 1,000 homeless and disadvantaged Sydneysiders.

A combined fundraising effort from the business leaders and chefs saw more than $900,000 raised for OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue charity.

“We are truly overwhelmed by the support of the entire community. It was inspiring to see so many individuals and companies from the food, hospitality and events industry, chefs and business leaders from all sectors including banking, finance, health, technology, construction and mining come together to offer support for people less fortunate.

“Together with your help, we will continue to rescue more meals, and deliver more good quality nutritious food to people in need. We have a big vision to expand our Nutrition Education program, NEST and our hospitality training program for disadvantaged youth, Nourish. Now we can achieve this thanks to this unbelievable support,” said Ronni  Kahn, Founder & CEO of OzHarvest.

The 38 chefs’ hat pop-up restaurant, which produced a gourmet 3-course menu for 1,000 dinner guests, designed by OzHarvest’s ambassador chefs would have been a food-lovers paradise.

The night started with a delicious house-made hummus, beetroot and dill dip prepared lovingly by OzHarvest’s Nourish students and Chef for a Cause, accompanied by Brasserie Bread.

Mains ranged from bouillabaisse to boeuf bourguignon to Movida and Miguel Maestre’s family paella recipe. Then there was Matt Moran’s family lamb recipe, Maggie Beer’s roast chicken and Matt Stone from Brothl’s famous nourishing soup. Enough to make everyone’s mouth water!

And dessert… Black Star Pastry outdid themselves and prepared more than 1,600 serves of their famous watermelon and strawberry cake, with a specially designed Gelato Messina served alongside and a Vittoria Coffee to finish.

Guests were treated to a spectacular performance by Karise Eden series one winner of The Voice Australia, thanks to Universal Music Australia and danced the night away to the Field Brothers eight-piece band.

The unique event was attended by those who OzHarvest delivers food to daily as well as registered CEOs and business leaders.

You can support the cause by clicking the button below to donate or visit www.ceocookoff.com.au – donations open til 2 April, 2015

Every $1 donated means OzHarvest can deliver two meals.
Every $2 donated can provide dinner to a family of four.
$15 provides a classroom of students with a nutritious breakfast.
$84 can feed a family of four for a whole month.
$500 can help one disadvantaged youth get through our Nourish program

Download photos from the event here 

Thanks to our Event Partners: HOSTPLUS, Brita Water, Carriageworks, Qantas, Austage

See the full list of incredible supporters at www.ceocookoff.com.au/supporters

ENDS

For interview and photo opportunities with chefs, CEOs or Ronni Kahn, please contact:

Amy Ashworth at Liquid Ideas | [email protected] | 02 9667 4211| 0434 917 268

Louise Tran at OzHarvest | [email protected] | 02 9516 3877 | 0466 620 744

Georgie Hartigan at OzHarvest | georgie.hartigan @ozharvest.org | 02 9516 3877 | 0419 620 866

Connect with us via LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter @OzHarvest or Facebook

Get social by using the hashtag #CEOCookOff