Bangkok (The Nation/ANN) - Last year, the Bangkok Chefs' Charity Gala Dinner raised more than 12 million baht (US$381,000) to support the education of underprivileged youngsters in Phetchaburi and Nonthaburi.
This year's event, scheduled for August 17, sets out to raise even more money, as chefs from 21 of Thailand's most prestigious five-star hotels and Thai Airways International join up to cook up another grand feast to be served in Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok's Royal Ballroom in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
As in previous years, the bulk of the funds will benefit Border Patrol Police Schools under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness. The balance goes to charities to improve the livelihood and education ofunderprivileged children in the remote district of Om Koi of Chiang Mai.
The gala dinner is the brainchild of the sisters Nuntiya and Patcharin Hame-ung-gull of Gourmet One, Bangkok's leading supplier of fine food and imported ingredients. They came up with the idea of a fundraiser event as a way of paying back to society and at the same time showcasing the high quality of Thailand's professionals in the food and beverage industry.
The Bangkok Chefs' Charity was launched in 2009 with the proceeds going to the Princess's Sai Jai Thai Foundation and needy children and schools in northern Thailand.
More than 5 million baht, raised from auctions and ticket sales at the 2010 charity gala, benefitted the Border Patrol Police Schools. In addition to their fund-raising efforts last year, in October the Bangkok Chefs'
Charity committee donated four motor boats to Provincial Police Legion 1 for use to help flood victims in Angthong province; and gave 10,000 flood relief supply bags to those affected in Bangyai district, Nonthaburi
province as well as Bangkok's Thawee Wattana District in Bangkok.
For this year's dinner, the 22 culinary gurus are pairing up by nationality to create the finest signature dish of their particular country. Each dish will be partnered with some of the finest wines provided free of charge by suppliers with a charitable heart: Wine Dee Dee, Wine Gallery, G Four,
Italthai, Vanichwathana (Bangkok) Co Ltd, Italasia, Canpac Beverages and Siam Winery. Siam Winery, represented by its business development director Kim Wachtveitl, has added the wow factor to the event by inviting celebrity and socialite MR Srikamrung Yukol as act as guest artist. Her "Harmony"- themed drawing for the Monsoon Valley Wine Muscat label specially bottled and labelled for the 2012 Charity Dinner, comprises multi-coloured, little hands depicting the freshness and happiness of children.
Other generous sponsors include The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Rougie (Foie Gras and Gastronomy since 1875), Valrhona, Kobe Cuisine, De Cecco, TWG and Lavazza coffee.
This year's honourary emcee will be actor and celebrity host of several culinary shows on television Shahkrit Yamnarm. Entertainment will be provided by the Krungthep Light Orchestra.
