Academy Of Chefs Raises Funds For World Chefs Tour Against Hunger
updated: 1st November 2010

Press release
October 2010

ACADEMY OF CHEFS RAISES FUNDS FOR WORLD CHEFS TOUR AGAINST HUNGER

Represented by some of the iconic chefs of the last three decades, the honour society within the South African Chefs Association – the Academy of Chefs – proudly participated in the Good Food & Wine Show in October, raising over R11 000 as the first fundraising initiative of the World Chefs Tour Against Hunger.

It was a veritable who’s who of the veterans of the hospitality industry – the likes of Gianni Mariano of the Mastrantonio Group, Philippe Frydman of LGG Consulting, Garth Shnier of the Sandton Sun Hotel, Martin Kobald of MLK Catering, Fritz Fletcher and Franz Knuddelvof Café Mozart, Eugenie Ravenscroft of Anglo American, Bruce Burns of MenuTainment, Manfred Reinhard of Sinclair’s Deli, Glynn Sinclair of Sinclair’s Deli and Walter Ulz of Linger Longer – all of whom presented dishes from their home country. The common purpose was to assist in raising awareness of the upcoming World Chefs Tour Against Hunger, proudly supported by Bidvest, which will see hundreds of chefs coming to South Africa from all over the world in 2011 to increase international awareness of the plight of the hungry in South Africa.

Seizing the opportunity to raise funds for this worthy initiative, Philippe Frydman, Chairman of the Academy of Chefs, encouraged visitors to sample the dishes prepared by these iconic chefs and donate whatever they felt the dishes were worth, raising R11 070 in the process.

“It was an extremely worthwhile initiative in creating interest in World Chefs Tour Against Hunger, ahead of the event next year, and we were proud to be able to make the very first donations to the fund, along with Bidvest as its primary sponsor,” comments Philippe.

“A very special thank you to all the chefs who gave so willingly of their time and ingredients to expose both the Academy and World Chefs Tour Against Hunger to the visitors to the show, and also to friends of the Academy, Mathew Abrahams of Thava Restaurant and Nick Nicolau of the Global Wrapps Group, and to the many sponsors who assisted in making the event possible, including (in no particular order): The Good Food and Wine Management team, Coca Cola Dome Catering, Vulcan Food Services, Culinary catering equipment, SAB, Distell, Protea Fresh Wholesalers, Unilever Food Solutions, Tiger Brands, Ecolab, Nomu, Caterplus, AV Vision, Breyers deli, Sir Juice, Nestle water, Russell Hobbs, Shout Factory, HSC Waitering solutions, HTA School of Catering, Chefworks and Bistro Tea.”

“I’d also like to make special mention and a warm word of thanks to Dr Bill Gallagher for his support in ensuring the success of the event.”

Watch out for more exciting events planned by the Academy as part of the World Chefs Tour Against Hunger fundraising drive.

…ENDS

ISSUED BY THE ACADEMY OF CHEFS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT PHILIPPE FRYDMAN ON 083 449-5883 OR frydman@global.co.za.

Bidvest serves up surprise appeal for SA's hungry children
updated: 18th October 2010

One of the year’s biggest gatherings of corporate leaders and high net worth individuals was served a surprise additional ‘course’ at the annual Bidvest Banquet last night (Monday, August 30) … a personal plea from Brian Joffe for money to feed the country’s starving children.

The Bidvest chief executive interrupted the succession of gourmet offerings and sparkling cabaret performances to put the issue of hunger on the table.

He reminded an audience of 500 black-tie guests and their partners at the Sandton Convention Centre that two-and-a-half million children cannot fend for themselves and go hungry every day in South Africa.

Joffe announced that Bidvest has donated R3 million to support the 2011 World Chef’s Tour Against Hunger – an initiative by the South African Chefs’ Association and the World Association of Chefs’ Societies to mobilise over 200 chefs worldwide in a fund-raising drive to alleviate hunger in our region.

He challenged assembled senior executives, business owners and successful entrepreneurs to top up the initial Bidvest serving and donate even more. Southern Sun has supported the intitiative and will sponsor accommodation for the chefs.

An emotive corporate video focused on lion cubs in the wild – young that are fed and succoured by the adults, not abandoned and left in need.

Joffe then urged his guests: “Today I ask you to join Bidvest and support the 2011 World Chef’s Tour Against Hunger. Let’s give as a pride, with pride.”

Bidvest Foodservice, a major component of The Bidvest Group, is the world’s largest foodservice supplier outside of North America. Among its customers are the world’s leading hotels, restaurants and chefs.

The World Tour hopes to raise a total of R4 million to fend off hunger. The Bidvest donation and the Brian Joffe appeal are the main ingredients in the mix.

Convener of the 2011 World Chefs Tour Against Hunger Chef Martin Kobald (South African Chefs Asssociation honorary past president). Hope's to welcome over 200 chefs from across the globe in the effort to feed the nation.

The organisers plan to hold gala dinners around the world to raise awareness of the scourge of hunger while raising money.

Bidvest, operational in 20 countries and across four continents, provides substantial international reach of its own.

Says Kobald: “We anticipate that the Bidvest World Chefs’ Tour Against Hunger will prove to be the biggest fundraising event ever undertaken within the global chefs’ fraternity.

“We feel hugely privileged to be supported by Bidvest and afforded the opportunity to invite chefs from around the world to share their knowledge and compassion in the fight against hunger.”

R4 million poured into the ‘pot’ would easily create a new record.

In 1993, when international chefs first came to South Africa to raise money to fight hunger, R500 000 was raised. The follow-up 10th anniversary tour in 2003 raised R1,5 million.