MPUME MADLAla
Former Bafana Bafana and Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe and eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo were on hand to wish the chefs taking part in the Bidvest World Chefs Tour Against Hunger good luck.
Chefs from different countries were offering meals from their homelands at the Garden Court Umhlanga on Tuesday, giving guests an opportunity to taste what the rest of the world has to offer.
The plight of starving children in the country is what has motivated 250 chefs from 44 countries, along with over 700 local chefs, to give up their time and share expertise during a 10-day fundraising drive throughout the country, where they hope to raise R10 million, which will then be donated to the Akani Diepsloot Foundation, African Children’s Feeding Scheme and Meals on Wheels Community Services plus other charity organisations.
Speaking at the event, the managing director of Southern Sun, Graham Wood, said being part of fundraising for the hungry was an honour and an opportunity for them to also give back to the community.
He said it would not have been possible without the support of Bidvest, who have already donated R3.6m to the cause, while Southern Sun is providing accommodation to the 250 visiting chefs.
US chef Keith Koegh urged people to pledge for all the children who are hungry, saying that with the drive they wanted to make sure that no child went to school or bed on an empty stomach.
“All the chefs funded their own trips to South Africa, and our aim is to raise R10m – we currently we have R5m. We urge people to make their pledges at the Southern Sun hotels,” he said.
Chef Hans Anderegg from Canada, who has been a chef for more than 30 years, said he was very happy to be in South Africa for a worthy cause.
“I hope we will raise the R10m to feed those in need,” he said. Brian Joffe, chief executive of the Bidvest group, said hunger in South Africa was a challenge that was crying out for urgent action.
“Even the smallest contribution makes a difference if enough of us work together,” he said.