Top chefs make difference for NZ leukaemia patients
21 Apr 2009
A gourmet extravaganza organised by New Zealand celebrity chef Peter Gordon and involving 13 of the world’s top chefs has raised NZ$160,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).
‘Dining for a Difference’ held at Auckland’s SkyCity convention centre on 18 April was the second such event run by Gordon in New Zealand as part of his commitment to the foundation.
Family link
Gordon of SkyCity’s ‘dine by Peter Gordon’ and The Providores restaurant in London, returned to New Zealand to organise and take part in the event to honour his sister Tracey who was diagnosed with leukaemia 13 years ago.
The black tie dinner saw 270 guests including New Zealand celebrities served with a memorable meal of the best local produce and some exotic imported ingredients. Each of the 13 chefs was responsible for two tables.
Dobbyn welcome home
Iconic Kiwi musician Dave Dobbyn paid a special tribute to Gordon serenading him with the classic hit Welcome Home.
"You have sacrificed so much to be here," Dobbyn sang, a sentiment echoed by LBF executive director, Pru Etcheverry who said: "The chefs have so generously donated their time and culinary expertise to be here. They have meticulously prepared for weeks."
Air New Zealand flew all the chefs to Auckland, including international guests Elizabeth Falkner of Orson in San Francisco, Jereme Leung of Jereme Leung Creative Concepts in Shanghai, China, Christine Manfield from Universal, Sydney, Philip Johnson of Ecco in Queensland, and Martin Boetz of Longrain in New South Wales.
Gordon was joined by fellow New Zealand chefs - Geoff Scott (Vinnies, Auckland), Rex Morgan (Citron, Wellington), Martin Bosley (Martin Bosley’s Yacht Club, Wellington), Simon Wright (The French Café, Auckland), Michael Meredith (Merediths, Auckland), Al Brown (Logan Brown, Wellington) and Pete Gawron (Saffron, Queenstown).
Lively auction
An auction with 10 lots including a trip for four to London for dinner at The Providores and private dinner parties catered for by several of the chefs, raised NZ$160,000.
Lively bidding surprised organisers and one guest paid $10,000 to have Peter Gordon cook a dinner party for eight at his home.
"In this changing economy we are especially humbled to be supported in this way by our guests," said Etcheverry.
She said the money raised by SkyCity Dining for a Difference would go towards the LBF Support Services Programme, which provides patient support, information and education, awareness, advocacy and research to patients and their families affected by leukaemia and other blood cancers.
Leukaemia in NZ
The Leukaemia & Blood Foundation is the only organisation in New Zealand dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with leukaemia, myeloma, lymphoma and related blood conditions.
Every day six children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition, the equivalent of around 2200 New Zealanders a year.
The funds raised go towards core services such as patient support, information and education, awareness, advocacy and research.
More information:
NZ chef: Peter Gordon
New Zealand celebrity chefs
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