The Variety of Chefs Gala Dinner was held on Saturday 4 June 2016 at Australian Technology Park hosted by Variety – the children’s charity.
Variety of Chefs Gala Dinner
The fund-raiser saw six top Australian chefs present a four course menu prepared by Bayleaf Catering paired with premium Calabria wines.
Australian Technology Park
Guests entered the venue with the occasional flame flaring outside before being treated to Beluga vodka cocktails and canapes on arrival by Maz Valcorza of Sadhana Kitchen.
Canapes: Mushroom Calamari Boats by chef Maz Valcorza of Sadhana Kitchen
Canapes: Fig and coconut pizzettes with pine nut parmesan by chef Maz Valcorza of Sadhana Kitchen
Once guests were seated and the formal part of the evening began, three courses followed, with alternating entree and main dishes served to guests.
Variety of Chefs – Photo Credit, Supplied
The dishes were created by Telina Menzies of the Publican Group Australia, Justin North of Hotel Centennial, Adrian Richardson of La Luna Melbourne, Michael Moore of O Bar & Dining and John Ralley of Textbook Patisserie.
Below is the full menu:
Entree 1: Salmon Pastrami and All Things Beetroot by chef Telina Menzies of the Publican Group in Melbourne
Entree 2: Sustainable local caught yellow fin tuna served with a lovely fresh wintery herbaceous fennel salad with a touch of ginger and miso by chef Justin North of Hotel Centennial
Main Course 1: Victorian lamb, braised shallots, garlic, spinach and Pinot glaze by chef Adrian Richardson of La Luna Melbourne
Main Course 2: Seared rare beef fillet with salted black barley, mustard eggplant and shiso leaves by chef Michael Moore of O Bar and Dining
Dessert: Cherry ripe, Valrhona Macae 62% chocolate mousse, cherry compote and mousseline, coconut meringue and tempered chocolate by Chef John Ralley of Textbook Patisserie
A selection of six wines by Calabria Family Wines was served with dinner. Throughout the fund raising evening, there were interactive on stage demonstrations with the chefs as well as charity auctions. At the conclusion of the evening, Australian music legend, Richard Clapton performed to a captive audience who danced in the aisles.
Richard Clapton
The evening was hosted by Today Show News Presenter Sylvia Jefferies and MasterChef season two winner Adam Liaw. During the course of the night, six-year-old Samuel Hevron and his parents took to the stage explaining their story. Samuel has Down Syndrome, congenital heart disease and global developmental delay. Variety granted Samuel a stroller with a stair-climber attachment, allowing Samuel’s family to negotiate the two flights of stairs in their apartment building and assisting them to do everyday activities with greater ease.
Signed Chef Uniforms for Auction
Tickets to the Variety of Chefs Dinner cost $300 each with proceeds going to Variety – the Children’s Charity which empowers Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to live, laugh and learn. Variety supports over 1,200 families in need every month through the provision of vital equipment and services. Variety was aiming to raise $350,000 at the fundraising dinner to provide essential support for children in need of immediate help.
The black tie event was held on Saturday 4 June 2016 at 6.15pm at Australian Technology Park, Exhibition Hall Entry.
Except where indicated, Photography © by Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
Originally published on 30 May 2016. Updated 5 June 2016.
