Masterchef Australia judges host food drive in SA
Making their first appearance together in South Africa, MasterChef Australia judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston will host The Longest Dinner Table on 7 September in aid of Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa. Also joining them will be MasterChef Australia 2014 winner Brent Owens.
The Longest Dinner Table, held at Sandton City Shopping Centre, will see the chefs and members of the public assist in packing meals for homeless and hungry children. All are invited to participate in the free event, which will be held outside Woolworths on the upper level of the shopping centre from 18.30-20.00.
The popular MasterChef judges will mingle with packers, share their cooking secrets and give away spot prizes on an evening that offers a dinner table with a difference. Also making an appearance is Brent Owens, author of the bestselling cook book Dig In. Owens is in South Africa filming a new food and adventure television series titled Brent Owens Unwrapped … South Africa for Oxyg3n Media.
Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa was established in Johannesburg in the same year as MasterChef Australia made its debut. Under the guidance of chief patron Graça Machel, it provides nutritious meals and life-saving aid to the country's destitute and hungry children.
Says Calombaris: “As chefs, we have a role to play in focusing attention on world hunger and helping eradicate it. It’s not just about eating wel,l but ensuring that everyone has enough to eat.”
His sentiment is echoed by Julie Hillary, Sandton City’s general manager: “At Sandton City we care about the community and, the fact that so many people are going to bed hungry, is of great concern to us. We are delighted to team up with Stop Hunger Now SA to help alleviate this problem. We are also honoured to have the MasterChef Australia judges on board to help pack meals for this very worthy cause.”
Says Saira Khan, CEO of Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa: “We conduct meal packaging events with volunteers, because it is as important to engage as many people as possible in the effort to eradicate hunger. Our events also serve as a platform to educate people about hunger, what they can do about it, and to inspire them to take further action.”
The eighth season of MasterChef Australia returns to M-Net on December 26 at 18.30. MasterChef Australia first aired in 2009 and made the three hosts and judges global stars. All have visited South Africa at different times, but are delighted to be sharing a platform together for this very worthy cause.
