Celebrity Chef Series raises R300k for Children's Hospital Trust

1 Oct 2012

The fourth Col'Cacchio pizzeria Celebrity Chef Series has raised R300 000 for Children's Hospital Trust, the fundraiser for the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and Paediatric Healthcare in the Western Cape. This was achieved through the sales of 33 536 celebrity pizzas, eaten over the competition.

L - R: Michael Terespolsky, Helen White, Kinga Baranowska, Cara Muller and Craig Shaw.

The 2012 Col'Cacchio pizzeria Celebrity Chef Series ran from May until the end of August and featured a line-up of chefs: Jackie Cameron (Hartford House, KwaZulu-Natal), Coco Reinarhz (Sel et Poivre, Gauteng) and Chris Erasmus (Pierneef à la Motte, Franschhoek).

Moreover, in a new culinary twist for the Series, the public was invited to take part in a Pizza Challenge, which saw Jessica Comninos crowned as the August Celebrity Chef with her delicious Liu Loren creation.

Director of Col'Cacchio pizzeria Holdings, Kinga Baranowska, commented, "We are delighted to be making this wonderful contribution to such a worthy cause. Once again we extend our sincere thanks to the most important people involved in series, the chefs, customers and sponsors."

The Children's Hospital Trust will be using the R300 000 to upgrade the hospital's Medical Ward B2, which treats some of the hospital's youngest patients with chronic illnesses. This upgrade will improve patient experience and outcomes, reduce the risk of cross-infection, increase emotional support and provide better conditions for the patients, parents and staff.

"We are so appreciative to Col'Cacchio pizzeria for selecting the Trust as the beneficiary of this initiative and we also extend our gratitude to its customers for supporting the Celebrity Chef Series. This donation will contribute significantly to improving the care of our young patients," said Louise Driver, CEO of the Children's Hospital Trust.