Hollywood is heading to Auckland this June for the seventh installment of the fine-dining, charity event of the year, SKYCITY Variety of Chefs.
Hosted by Variety – the Children’s Charity and raising much-needed funds to support some of our most vulnerable tamariki, the evening promises an unrivalled dining experience, with celebrated chefs Nic Watt – of SKYCITY’s MASU by Nic Watt – and Jonathan Granada – of West Coast Los Angeles’ Otium, and previously the French Laundry – taking guests on a gastronomic journey through a collaborative four-course menu.
Specifically supporting Variety’s Beds for Kids programme, Lorraine Taylor, the charity’s chief executive officer, says with over 300 children on the waitlist for beds and bedding, the evening will provide relief to many struggling families whose children are currently sleeping on the floor, couches, or having to share their sleeping space with siblings.
“Join us on this very special evening, enjoy gourmet cuisine, expertly matched with beer and wine, while helping us give Kiwi kids a basic essential – a good night’s sleep in their own bed.”
Both passionate about improving the lives of disadvantaged Kiwi kids, Watt and Granada are looking forward to providing a fine-dining experience for guests.
“Helping kids in our own neighbourhoods is something I am extremely passionate about. To have been able to secure Jonathan, a world-class chef from one of West Coast America’s top restaurants, and for him to join me on the mission to provide beds for disadvantaged children, is truly remarkable,” says Watt.
Granada, the North American West Coast Ambassador for New Zealand’s Ora King Salmon, who will be travelling to our shores specifically for the event, says he is proud to have the chance to ‘give back’.
“With many nieces and nephews, I’ve always had a lot of kids in my family so any way I can work towards benefitting disadvantaged children, I do,” he says.
“We really focused on mentorship at the French Laundry, and it’s a central part of our culture at Otium as well. By travelling to New Zealand I want to continue to drive the importance of reinvesting in our communities and in the next generation.”
SKYCITY Group general manager human resources, Claire Walker, is proud of the long-standing partnership with Variety.
“SKYCITY has been supporting Variety since 2005, helping raise much needed funds and awareness for this hugely important charity. SKYCITY Variety of Chefs is a significant event in our calendar each year and we are so pleased that this event will make a difference for Kiwi kids,” says Walker.
The special evening will also feature entertainment, and a live and silent auction.
Visit www.varietyofchefs.co.nz for more information.
