Variety, the Children’s Charity is honoured to present the 3rd Annual Variety of Chefs red carpet dinner.

With the support from some of AUSTRALIA’S TOP CHEFS this delectable evening is making its mark as one of the countries most glamorous charity events, raising over $400,000 in just two years!

To spice things up, in 2010 Variety of Chefs is back with a TASTY TWIST! Our sensational chefs are designing an exclusive 4 COURSE DEGUSTATION and will present the dishes live on stage, with a few VIP guest judges and culinary games thrown in the mix. This is guaranteed to be a fun night that will excite all of the culinary senses!

Each Chef has generously donated their time to COOK FOR A CAUSE and they guarantee to bring you a night of great entertainment, sensational food, beverages and fun!

Laura AndonOur gorgeous host for the evening is television presenter and actress, ZOE NAYLOR.


 

Our Chefs - Cooking for a Cause

Martin from LongrainBen O'Donoghue
For chef and television presenter Ben O'Donoghue, cooking is a passion and a reflex, it's something he's done since childhood and it never ceases to give him pleasure or stimulate his imagination. more »


Martin from LongrainSean Connolly from Astral
Sean's passion for cooking started at a young age in the UK. His talent quickly led to his appointment at Star City's Astral in 1995. more »


Martin from LongrainJared Ingersoll from Danks Street Depot
Dank Street Depot has numerous and consistently good reviews and articles including a mention in Vogue Living, as being a must see destination when visiting NSW. more »


Peter from Flying FishPeter Kuruvita from Flying Fish
Born in London, acclaimed chef Peter Kuruvita spent his childhood in Sri Lanka where he was introduced to the delights of cooking. more »


Click here to view the Chef's full profiles »
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Our Hosts

Zoe Naylor

  ZOE NAYLOR

Zoe Naylor is a well-known, much loved Australian personality; she has worked extensively in film, television and theatre.

She is perhaps best known for her role as co-host on the 7 Network’s Gladiators and for her role as Regan McLeod in McLeod’s Daughters, the long running and much loved 9 Network drama.

Zoe has recently finished filming the lead role in Andrew Traucki’s eagerly anticipated thriller The Reef that premiered at Cannes in May.

Our Chefs

Ben O'Donoghue
For chef and television presenter Ben O'Donoghue, cooking is a passion and a reflex, it's something he's done since childhood and it never ceases to give him pleasure or stimulate his imagination.

Ben started his career working in a number of top class Australian restaurants including Tribeca and Goodfellas in Sydney and Jessica's in Perth before moving to London ten years ago. 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. Most recently Ben has been appointed creative director of food for The Great Australian Pie Company in the UK.

Ben is now living back in Australia after 13 years in the UK. He has just finished filming the brand new series of The Best in Australia which will screen on The Lifestyle Channel from the end of August. Ben was one of the chefs in the original series of The Best, which produced an accompanying book of the same name. His television credits also include four series of the internationally acclaimed food and travel program, Surfing the Menu.

Sean Connolly from Astral
Sean's passion for cooking started at a young age in the UK. His talent quickly led to his appointment at Star City's Astral in 1995. With its spectacular 270degree views across the city and harbour, Sean has successfully worked to position the restaurant as one of Sydney's top fine-dining destinations.

With a modern European influence, Astral's menu reflects his commitment to fresh, local produce. Guests enjoy many dining options, from the customised menu in the breathtaking private dining room to the fast and fabulous pre-theatre dishes.

Upon naming Sean the 2008 Sydney Morning Herald Chef of the Year, co-editor Joanna Savill noted: Blessed with sound technique, wit, imagination and the intelligence not to try to hard, Connolly continues to entertain and please us and it is this potential for even greater things and sheer bloody talent that ensures his star will continue to rise.

Jared Ingersoll from Danks Street Depot
Dank Street Depot has numerous and consistently good reviews and articles including a mention in Vogue Living, as being a must see destination when visiting NSW.

Jared started Danks Street Depot with his wife Melanie Starr in February 2002.

At the end of last year, Danks Street Depot also opened at the Sydney International Airport and a new restaurant, Cotton Duck is scheduled for opening in August 2010. Prior to Danks Street Depot, Jared was head chef at Bayswater Brasserie after working in London at SoHo’s Mezzo, Michelin two star - The Square and Hillaire in South Kensington.

Out of the kitchen, Jared makes numerous media appearances. He has, amongst other things, been a regular on Channel 10’s Ready Steady Cook and The Morning Show and writes a monthly column for Home Beautiful Magazine.

Peter Kuruvita from Flying Fish
Born in London, acclaimed chef Peter Kuruvita spent his childhood in Sri Lanka where he was introduced to the delights of cooking by watching his grandmother prepare ancient Sri Lankan dishes. Drawing on his extensive international experience, Peter now co-owns and runs Flying Fish Sydney and in 2008 Peter was asked to open Flying Fish Fiji, located on the grounds of the Sheraton Denarau.

Peter has a reputation in the Australian culinary circles as an expert on seafood and he has a strong stance on seafood sustainability. He continues to develop the Flying Fish brand and in 2008 launched a range of products along with his cookbook "Serendip."

Flying Fish has again been awarded 1 Chef’s Hat and 1 Wine Goblet at the prestigious 25th Annual Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Awards



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Variety, the Children's Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of seriously ill, special needs and disadvantaged kids.

We believe that all children struggling with any form of disability, illness or special need deserve a chance not only to experience freedom, but to realise their dreams.

Jamie OUR VISION & JAIME'S STORY » YOU CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE »

Tickets

Venue: Hilton Hotel Sydney
Date: Saturday 25th September
Time: 6:30 pm
Dress: Black Tie
SINGLE TICKET: $250
SILVER TABLE: $5,000 (for 10 people)

Contact Marni Ryan for all Silver sponsorship enquiries.

E: marni.ryan@varietynsw.org.au or
P: 02 9819 1013

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The Variety Wishlist

Wish List Images

ABOUT THE WISH LIST
You have a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the life of a child in your community. Add a wish list item to your ticket or table booking and make a child's day!
You can purchase an item from our wish list below and receive a 100% tax deductible receipt. Contact us for more information.

Variety Kids Christmas PartyVariety Kids Christmas Party $200
Variety is proud to host the biggest party for kids every year, with thousands of disadvantaged and special needs children attending this mammoth event. The children are treated to an enormous array of activities and experiences, and each child also receives fantastic presents. Your donation of $200 would ensure a special child will be treated to a day they will truly treasure*

Suction wigHuman hair suction wig $3,600
Maybelle has suffered from Alopecia since she was nine years old, and as she will be starting high school next year, she needs to fit in with her peers, and not look any different to the other girls.  A human hair suction wig will ensure that her condition remains hidden from the other children and the teachers at the school, and give her much-needed confidence in her looks*

BoardmakerSay-it! SAM talking device $4,675
Thirteen year old Timmy has profound hearing loss, moderate intellectual disability, autism and dyspraxia. He attends a support class in high school and receives regular extra teacher support. Over the years a number of assistive communication strategies have been trialled, without a great deal of success. When Timmy trialled the Say-it! SAM device, he was able to master it, exceeding his teachers’ and family’s goals and expectations. For the first time in his life he was able to report his news to the class, plus request items and activities, and order his lunch at the canteen.  With the Say-it! SAM, Timmy will be able to learn how to independently purchase a train ticket, do his banking and order food at a café. It will be an amazing step forward for him*

Manual WheelchairManual Wheelchair $9,717
Fourteen year old Duncan has cerebral palsy and a hearing impairment. He has outgrown his current manual wheelchair and supportive seating in order to maintain an upright, symmetrical posture, which enables him to also use his upper limbs most efficiently. He can walk short distances with a walker, but needs his manual wheelchair for the majority of each day. His family is asking for help, as his father was made redundant from his employment earlier this year*

Donation towards Myoelectric Hand ProgramVehicle modification $10,000
Ten year old Leah has spastic quadriplegia, and cannot stand without support, nor walk. She requires physical assistance to transfer between different positions, and also requires support to sit.  She cannot push her manual wheelchair as she has reduced movements and strength in her arms. She is a sociable person who likes to meet people and be a part of her community, and if the family vehicle was modified, so that she would be able to be safely wheeled into the vehicle in her wheelchair, it would make the lives of Leah and her father, and older brother and sister much more fulfilling and also more fun*

Liberty Swing14-seater Sunshine Coach $45,000
Sunshine Coaches give children access to a number of experiences they may otherwise have missed out on, in a safe and fun environment with their classmates.  A public school on the south coast of NSW has four classes of special needs children, and a Sunshine Coach will enable these children to attend special gymnastics and swimming classes, as well as many other events. The coach will also be available for the mainstream students*

* Please note that occasionally the wish you have selected for a particular child may have already been granted. Please be reassured that your money will be spent on the same or very similar equipment for another child with similar needs. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

* Due to privacy reasons, the images used in relation to each wish list item are not of the exact child mentioned in the appeal; they are a representation of the item/s