$130k Raised for Variety's Culinary Night of Nights

    NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA, July 04, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Amongst the stand out performances, was rising star, Melanie Dyer, who had impressed Joel Madden with her encore performance during The Voice's blind auditions. Melanie was amongst celebrities, radio star Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, past and present MasterChef contestants Alvin Quah, Audra Morrice and Kylie Millar as well as personalities, Steve Willis, 'Commando' from The Biggest Loser, Karen Ledbury, Lizzy Lovett, Glenn Wheeler, who all frocked up for a night of culinary indulgence.

The event raised an enormous $130k NET for Variety - the Children's Charity.

Guests feasted on a gourmet six course degustation Asian themed menu prepared by Chefs Peter Kuruvita, Reagan Porteous from Toko and Chinese cuisine specialist Yi Chun Chen. Each Chef presented dishes live on stage, complete with culinary games thrown into the mix. Reflecting the high calibre of this gala dinner, the mouth watering menu included a starter share platter of freshly shucked Pacific Oysters Tosazu, thinly sliced Kingfish sashimi with chilli yuza ponzu dressing and beef tataki created by Reagan, mains of spanner crab kinilaw and wagyu beef and short ribs with celeriac and smoke pomme puree mastered by Peter, while dessert was an elegant sweet stuffed pear and tremella and goji berry rock candy stew perfected by My Chen. While premium beverages complemented each course.

Guests also vied for a unique range of priceless experiences, lifestyle and getaway prizes in the auction and raffles.

All the proceeds from this year's Chefs gala dinner will go towards Variety's Freedom program which provides vital equipment and resources such as wheelchairs, standers and suction wigs to special needs children. Another of Variety's programs is the Future Kids program for talented kids and in fact helped Variety scholarship recipient, Melanie Dyer kick start her career by providing her with a new guitar and music tuition.

Variety - the Australian Children's Charity is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to transforming and enriching the lives of Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. In 2012, Variety celebrates 37 years of assisting children in need.

http://www.variety.org.au/nsw/

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