Celebrity chefs to serve NZ charity
24 Mar 2009
Take a dozen of the world’s top chefs, whisk them off to an exotic location, cook up a cracking dinner for a Kiwi charity and you’ve got a winning recipe.
New Zealand’s best known chef Peter Gordon, who's clocked up more food miles and styles for New Zealand than any other kitchen celebrity, has come up with such an idea and is bringing 12 leading cooks to Auckland for a one-off dinner with a difference.
It’s all in aid of Gordon’s long time charity, the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation - a cause close to the celebrated chef’s heart. He donated bone barrow to his sister, Tracey, after she contracted the disease 12 years ago.
Exclusive dinner
On April 18, the high profile chefs will gather at Sky City in Auckland to produce a gourmet dinner for an exclusive group of guests who will have paid $350 a head to attend the fundraiser.
Each chef will produce a four-course menu with matching wines for two tables of 10 guests. Table numbers will be drawn out of a hat and, until the meal arrives, guests will have no idea which chef will be preparing their meal or what they will be served.
Celebrity chefs
As well as Gordon, who co-owns or consults to restaurants from dine (Auckland) to New York, London and Istanbul, the headliners are Elizabeth Falkner (Orson, San Francisco) and Jereme Leung (Whampoa Club, Shanghai).
Falkner has become a recognisable face on the Food Network (Iron Chef America, Top Chef, Tyler's Ultimate and Martha Stewart Living). At Orson, Falkner says she explores familiar and iconic dishes with personal flair.
Hong Kong-born Leung is credited with reinterpreting Shanghai cuisine with food "traditional in soul, but served with a modern touch".
Gordon's Australian guests include Martin Boetz from Longrain, the trendsetting modern Thai restaurants, Philip Johnson (Ecco, Queensland) and Christine Manfield (Universal, Sydney).
NZ kitchen stars
The Kiwi line-up features Wellington’s leading kitchen stars: Martin Bosley (Yacht Club), Al Brown (Logan Brown) and Rex Morgan (Citron).
Michael Meredith (Meredith's), Geoff Scott (Vinnie's) and Simon Wright (French Cafe) are Auckland's representatives, and Pete Gawron is flying north from Saffron in Queenstown.
It is the second time Gordon has held the fundraiser in New Zealand. The first, in June 2007, raised $205,000 for the foundation.
He has also orchestrated dinners in Britain to help raise $8.5 million for the leukaemia unit at Hammersmith Hospital, London.
A charity in need
The foundation's executive director, Pru Etcheverry, says the demand for its services is on the rise.
"Every day six children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma or a related blood condition.
"Such a diagnosis can be life-changing. Providing information, education and support to patients and families at this time is terribly important," she said.
More information:
New Zealand chefs
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