SKYCITY Variety of Chefs raises more than $85,000 for Kiwi kids
Toni Street and Peter Williams MC night-market themed fine-dining event.
On 17 August we held the fifth SKYCITY Variety of Chefs, hosted by TVNZ headliners Toni Street and Peter Williams, and raising more than $85,000 for Variety – the Children’s Charity
Australasian star chefs Jarrod Di Blasi (EZARD, Melbourne) and our own Nic Watt (MASU, Auckland and Madame Hanoi, Adelaide) took 300-plus diners on a five-course culinary journey inspired by the vibrant flavours, fragrances and colours of Asian markets.
"Knowing the important work Variety does on behalf of New Zealand's children, we are proud to be in our 17th year supporting this wonderful charity and fifth year hosting the SKYCITY Variety of Chefs event," said Graeme Stephens, Chief Executive Office, SKYCITY Entertainment Group.
Guests were welcomed into a SKYCITY Convention Centre transformed into a glowing night market. Epicurean highlights included canapes featuring crispy pork belly bao, green mango, chilli, and fragrant herbs; two mains: confit Alaskan black cod and red duck curry; and high-drama desserts, including a matcha green tea ice cream presented in a cloud of billowing dry ice.
The audience was thrilled by the thunderous performance by the Tamashii Taiko Drummers, a traditional Japanese performance percussion dance group, followed by a live auction.
Keynote speaker Judge Andrew Becroft, the Children’s Commissioner, gave a captivating address on child poverty and what we can do to solve it – a focus for Variety, which provides disadvantaged Kiwi kids with essentials and opportunities, tailored to the needs of each individual child.
“Funds raised from this year’s event will give hundreds of Kiwi kids access to opportunities and essentials all Kiwi kids deserve. We couldn’t be more grateful to our long-term principal partner SKYCITY and to Nic Watt, who has supported us for five years in a row. Thanks also go to our associate sponsors, Ford New Zealand and Singapore Airlines,” said Lorraine Taylor, CEO of Variety – the Children’s Charity.
SKYCITY Variety of Chefs is a fundraiser for Variety – the Children’s Charity. Variety provides targeted, flexible support to meet the needs of thousands of disadvantaged children across New Zealand. Its programmes include Kiwi Kid Sponsorship, which matches generous New Zealanders with a disadvantaged child to provide essentials and opportunities; Bikes for Kids, which provides hundreds of bikes to children across New Zealand; and Gold Heart Scholarships, which provide funding for outstanding child athletes, musicians and artists to help them follow their dreams.
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