SKYCITY Variety of Chefs raises $75,000 for Kiwi kids

More than $75,000 was raised for Kiwi kids in need at SKYCITY Variety of Chefs black-tie fundraiser on Friday night, an evening hosted by Mediaworks personalities Mike McRoberts, Melissa Davis and Aziz Al-Sa’afin.

The Auckland SKYCITY Convention Centre transformed into a native rainforest and took guests on a culinary journey enjoying the likes of manuka smoked eel, kina panna cotta, tamari roasted pumpkin, shepherd’s pie and a kumara cake, all with a fine-dining twist.

Nic Watt from SKYCITY’s award winning restaurant MASU was a driving force behind the event and united fellow kiwi chef Monique Fiso and Australian based Hayden McMillan. The event is now in its sixth year raising an impressive contribution through a high calibre list of auction items including bidding for the chance to have Nic Watt put on a home-cooked dinner for 10.

With close to 300 guests in attendance, the night was an all-round success, says Variety’s Chief Executive Officer, Lorraine Taylor.

“With both a silent and live auction having taken place, we were so thrilled to see everyone get right behind our cause, which is to give disadvantaged Kiwi kids the childhood they deserve, and dig deep to assist our work.”

SKYCITY was recognised on the night by Variety through the presentation of a Corporate Award. The award is presented to companies that show outstanding commitment to Variety and those who have, over many years, assisted Variety’s mission of improving the lives of disadvantaged Kiwi kids. 

SKYCITY Group General Manager, Human Resources Claire Walker says since 2005, the partnership has seen more than $3.6 million raised for Variety through fundraising, grants and in-kind sponsorship.

“We are really proud of the partnership we have with Variety and the support we can provide to continue the important work they do in our communities. We look forward to this significant event in our calendar each year and are so pleased we can make a difference for Kiwi kids” says Mrs Walker. 

SKYCITY Variety of Chefs is just one of the ways the company shows its support for Variety. Another is Variety Bingo, which runs seven days a week, and is hugely popular, with all funds, more than $1million dollars to date going to Variety.

For more information please visit: https://www.variety.org.nz/