Variety of Chefs 2010

Saturday 5 June 2010, Plaza Ballroom Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

2010 will be host to the inaugural Brisbane BMW & Westside BMW Variety of Chefs Ball. Based on the huge success of this event in Sydney, we are honoured to be presenting SEVEN OF AUSTRALIA’S TOP CHEFS to help raise funds for much-needed equipment for thousands of disabled and disadvantaged children Variety Queensland support.

This star-studded evening includes four courses designed exclusively for you by OUR CHEFS who have generously donated their time to the Variety cause. With live demonstrations on stage of their chosen dish, guests will be enthralled by the talent and wit of these culinary masters!

But the fun doesn’t end there! Ricki-Lee will perform some of her greatest hits live and later guests will be invited to dance the night away to eight-piece dance band ‘Lush’.

The talented TALITHA CUMMINS and AMANDA McLEAY will feature as our celebrity MC’s, as well The Courier Mail’s food critic LIZZIE LOEL and very special guest, Variety Queensland’s Patron, MICHAEL CATON.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2009

ENTREE

Ben O’Donoghue
Ben is a familiar face in the culinary media world as a regular contributor to ABC’s delicious magazine as well as famous face on the Lifestyle Channels foodie documentaries. more »

Shane Bailey
Shane joined Berardo’s on the Beach in 2004 where he was eventually became an integral part in the organisation of the Noosa Good Food and Wine Festival which is no mean feat. In 2009 Shane became Head Chef at Berardo’s Restaurant and Bar. more »

David Pugh
His use of classic technique combined with these fine ingredients and thoroughly modern flair are what place Restaurant II at the forefront of contemporary Australian cuisine. more »

Russell Armstrong
Russell Armstrong had an extensive career in numerous high profile restaurants throughout Europe including the Connaught Hotel in London’s Mayfair under Michel Bourdin, Albert Roux’s three-star restaurant, Le Gavroché and the famous Le Frere Trois Gros in France. more »

PJ McMillan
As one of Brisbane’s most acclaimed chef’s, P.J McMillan has worked in a number of renowned Brisbane restaurants including Rae’s, Ecco and of course his own Arc Bistro, GPO Telegraph and the Story Bridge Hotel. more »

Matt Moran
A name that brings tremendous credibility and clout to any ‘foodie’ event, Matt Moran needs little introduction. From his humble beginnings learning the art of true French cuisine at La Belle Helene, to his huge following at Aria Sydney and Brisbane. more »

Kym Machin
A multi-award winner in his craft, Kym’s gastronomic delights make for the most artistic, adventurous and innovative menu in Queensland.. more »

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	Ben O’Donoghue After 13 years living in the UK, Ben has returned home to Australia. His is an incredible career, starting in a number of top class Australian restaurants including Tribeca and Goodfellas in Sydney and Jessica’s in Perth before moving to London. For four years he worked at The River Café and then joined his mate Jamie Oliver at the exclusive Monte's Club as Executive chef. Ben is also a familiar face in the culinary media world as a regular contributor to ABC’s delicious magazine as well as famous face on the Lifestyle Channels foodie documentaries.
	Shane Bailey Born in country Victoria, Shane completed his chefs apprenticeship and subsequently found himself working in some of Melbourne’s finest restaurants including Donovan’s. After extensive travel throughout Europe, Jim Berardo lured Shane to Berardo’s on the Beach in 2004 where he was eventually became an integral part in the organisation of the Noosa Good Food and Wine Festival which is no mean feat. In 2009 Shane became Head Chef at Berardo’s Restaurant and Bar.
	David Pugh Chef David Pugh’s continual search for the best available fresh produce provides his inspiration and the basis of the menu at Restaurant II. His use of classic technique combined with these fine ingredients and thoroughly modern flair are what place Restaurant II at the forefront of contemporary Australian cuisine. His love of cooking emerged at age eight when he would treat his parents to Sunday breakfast. Since then, David has worked with some of the world’s finest chefs, including a two year stint at London’s Connaught Hotel, drawing inspiration and skill from each and every encounter. Recently appointed Queensland’s Ambassador Chef, confirms David’s commitment to Queensland produce and suppliers.
	Russell Armstrong After completing an apprenticeship in Brisbane’s finest hotels, Russell Armstrong had an extensive career in numerous high profile restaurants throughout Europe including the Connaught Hotel in London’s Mayfair under Michel Bourdin, Albert Roux’s three-star restaurant, Le Gavroché and the famous Le Frere Trois Gros in France. Returning to Brisbane he then opened a number of award winning restaurants including Tables of Toowong, then subsequently, boutique hotels in Noosa and Western Australia, before becoming Executive Sous Chef in the fine dining room at Melbourne’s Regent Hotel. Russell’s recent ventures include ownership and management of award winning Seasalt at Armstrongs Restaurant and Barolo. Culinary speaking, what distinguishes his cooking is the innovative intent of the dishes as he dares to be different, combining creative energy with a depth of knowledge and disciplined technique. Russell has also broadened his work to include cooking schools in Queensland and interstate as well as promoting Australian food throughout Asia, and has been instrumental in the formation of a group of Queensland chefs working together for the improvement of dining in Queensland.
	PJ McMillan As one of Brisbane’s most acclaimed chef’s, P.J McMillan has worked in a number of renowned Brisbane restaurants including Rae’s, Ecco and of course his own Arc Bistro, GPO Telegraph and the Story Bridge Hotel. A shining star of the Brisbane culinary scene, PJ, has moved on from his award winning Arc Bistro and now owns Harveys Fortitude Valley. His unique bistro fare has enticed diners over the last two decades.
	Matt Moran A name that brings tremendous credibility and clout to any ‘foodie’ event, Matt Moran needs little introduction. From his humble beginnings learning the art of true French cuisine at La Belle Helene, to his huge following at Aria Sydney and Brisbane, Moran creates success and a level of professionalism to every project he puts his hand to. While his main focus is his restaurants, he also enjoys sharing his experience and knowledge with the public through the media, be it on the hugely popular MasterChef series, or as a contributor to Vogue Entertaining + Travel magazine.
	Kym Machin A multi-award winner in his craft, Kym’s gastronomic delights make for the most artistic, adventurous and innovative menu in Queensland. Hailing from Adelaide, Kym attributes his cutting-edge culinary style as the result of having worked under a number of high-profile chefs including Adelaide fusion food legend Cheong Liew, Sydney's Tim Pak Poy, Tetsuya Wakuda and Darley Street Thai’s David Thompson. Kym joined the Urbane team in 2003 creating a distinct and inspiring menu for the burgeoning venue and has thus helped build an enviable reputation with a string of awards and accolades for example: named one of the 50 best restaurants in Australia by The Weekend Australian, only one of two Queensland restaurants to receive three stars from The Courier-Mail’s 2008 Food and Wine Guide, Brisbanetimes.com.au awarded Urbane 2009 Restaurant of The Year as well as a coveted two chefs hats. Machin himself was named 2007 Young Chef of The Year and Chef of the Year in 2008.

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Variety Queensland is dedicated to transforming the lives of sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across our state.
Each year Variety – the children’s charity, supports over 30,000 Queensland children across the state with equipment and assistance to enable them to live more independently and learn and play along with their peers. Through hard, work, thoughtful stewardship and single-minded focus on the needs of the young, Variety Queensland strives to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, their families and our communities state-wide... One need at a time.

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Ruby looking overjoyed and enjoying a quality of life sometimes taken for granted by able bodied children and their families.

Ruby is 4 years old and suffers from Rett Syndrome

Through support and donatations, Variety Queensland was able to provide Ruby with a Jenx Prone Stander.
Cost: 4,760.

Email from Ruby's Mum, Annabelle
"So when I went to the letterbox and found the letter confirming funding I bawled my eyes out! As a single parent it gets very scary trying to get your head around how you're going to give your gorgeous girl everything she needs. Because she doesn't walk I don't have to buy her shoes or pay for ballet lessons, but we are up for literally thousands in equipment. This year alone a buggy ($7401) and an in home hydraulic seating system ($8616). So to have your help with the stander is so amazing. Thanks again."

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Brisbane BMW and Westside BMW are in their third year of what we are confident will be a long term association with Variety Queensland. This company is a well known entity within the state of Queensland and is a leader in its field as a prestigious motor dealer. In recent weeks the dealer principal, Martin Roller, has re-confirmed his company’s support for a further two (2) years and signed up as the naming rights sponsor for our most high profile functions. There is no doubt that the current and future success of these functions will be enhanced by the efforts and generosity of Brisbane BMW and Westside BMW. Les Riley Chief Executive Officer Variety Queensland

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