Lenhard is delighted with the outcome and quality of this year’s various events, supported by partners Deutsche Bank and Swiss International Air Lines, supporting partners Bulgari, Frey Chocolate, and the Century City Conference Centre as well as hospitality partner Sun International and product partners KWV, Hausbrandt Coffee and San Pellegrino/Acqua Panna.

This was the fourth delivery of South Africa’s biggest series of collaborative art and culinary events - from the Art Preview Evening on Monday, to Pre-Dinners held at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in partnership with Dom Pérignon, at The Maslow in conjunction with Moët et Chandon, and at the Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa in collaboration with Ruinart - and concluding with the Grand Gala and live auction on Saturday, 24 September.

This ‘feel-good’ event is based on the generous donations from participants, sponsors and guests - whether it be time, talent, funds, experiences or outstanding art – in order to have raised the millions which it has already donated to various local youth-focused charities. The event itself is a culinary achievement which draws on the time and unique culinary talents of 14 top local and international chefs who are flown in to collaborate with seven acclaimed sommeliers, to create seven different expertly-paired, gourmet menus for 252 guests on the Gala evening - during which works by high-calibre artists, collectable items and unique experiences are auctioned.

Grand Gala auction highlights
During this black-tie event and live auction, works donated by local and international artists were the highlights, with enthusiastic bidders eager to secure works by some of South Africa’s most famous creators.

A work donated by Jimmy Law, titled Rescue Me, with an estimated value of R45 000, unleashed highly competitive bids among attendees, with the auctioneer, Gift Ngwenya, announcing the closing bid at R245 000. Another painting, donated by artist Eugenia Chapman Campbell, with an estimated value of R28 000, was also an auction highlight with the successful bidder offering R110 000. A torso sculpture of the late Nelson Mandela by Jean Doyle; a sculpture titled Oblivian of the Waves by Anton Smit; a giclee print on archival paper, titled Malay Girl Triptych by Lionel Smit; and a bronze statue by Adriaan Diedericks, titled Exhale, all exceeded their indicated value prices by far.

Chefs who Share – Young Chef Award 2016

Another highlight from the Grand Gala was the announcement of the second ever recipient of the Chefs who Share – Young Chef Award. This year two young chefs were announced as joint winners: Anand Bhana, junior sous chef at Hartford House and Lee-andra Govender, junior sous pastry chef at Roots at Forum Homini.

According to Lenhard, these two young talents won over the esteemed judges for their “skills, team spirit, and personality to represent our country and ‘Chefs who Share’ locally and globally”. Both will receive substantial local recognition, and will be flown to Europe by sponsor Swiss International Air Lines to work in a Michelin-star restaurant, and to visit the headquarters of Moët & Chandon in Épernay, France, to experience the culinary and oenological highlights of Champagne.

The final say in the judging belonged to Reto Mathis, Swiss celebrity chef, Swiss International Air Lines Ambassador and international patron of the Chefs who Share – Young Chef Award together with South African Young Chef Award ambassador and TV chef Lentswe Bhengu.

Pre-event dinners and Veggie Box Initiative

The Grand Gala on Saturday, 24 September, was preceeded by the Art Preview on Monday evening, to a Pre-Dinner each held at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, at The Maslow, and at The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa. In illustration of the generosity of guests attending these events, a silent auction lot, prepared by Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in association with Dom Pérignon, was presented at the dinner here, which was sold for R25 000 and re-donated by the bidder to be auctioned at the Grand Gala, where it fetched another R30 000.

This followed another highlight from the week, which was was Friday’s Veggie Box Cook Off, a charity outreach initiative at Phelang Special School in Kwa-Tema, during which participating international and local chefs cooked for the 450 kids before serving lunch at the school.

“We are exhausted, but proud, humbled and grateful. The quality of events increase every year and the support is constantly growing. We look forward to taking the Initiative to even greater heights next year by uniting philanthropists through their love for food and art and, ultimately, through their passion for sharing and for giving back to the community,” said Lenhard.

According to Lenhard, the funds raised will be utilised to uplift the youth of South Africa through partnership charities such as MAD Leadership Foundation, The Click Foundation and the Veggie Box Initiative.

For more information, visit www.chefswhoshare.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.