March 7 marked the day CEOs, managing directors and senior business leaders of local companies participated at the OzHarvest CEO CookOff in an attempt to raise funds and feed and entertain about 1000 people in need.
This year saw a number of executives from tech companies get involved at the event, including CSC A/NZ managing director, Seelan Nayagam; CA Technologies A/NZ senior vice-president and managing director, Hope Powers; FireEye A/NZ regional director, Phil Vasic; Microsoft enterprise and partner group director, Steven Worrall; JCurve Solutions CEO, Stephen Canning; and RamCity CEO, Rod Bland.
At the CEO CookOff, the participants were grouped into teams and paired with celebrated chefs from Australia’s top kitchens. Each team prepares a meal under the guidance of their chef and serves up those meals to guests – the vulnerable men and women who are members of the OzHarvest family.
In addition to cooking for these individuals, Nayagam raised $18,260 for OzHarvest, while Powers raised $7705, Vasic raised $2350, Worrall raised $1500, Canning raised $6095, and Bland raised $1715.
“This
is a fantastic initiative from the team at OzHarvest to bring together more than 100 business leaders to be able to make a real difference in the community. I
thank the support of friends and colleagues that helped me raise funds and
provide more than 12,000 meals for vulnerable Australians,” Canning said.
Seelan mentioned he was looking forward to participating in his first CEO CookOff and supporting OzHarvest in their quest to help those in need.
“Top CEOs, chefs and companies have worked together to make a difference to Australia’s most vulnerable and reduce food waste. We love your support!” Bland said on the OzHarvest CEO CookOff website.
Vasic told ARN it felt like a great thing to do, and he enjoyed the night mixing with some interesting, like minded people who cared about the cause as much as he did.
"It was a genuine honor and a pleasure to cook for such a grateful crowd of people at the CEO Cook Off with Oz Harvest. There was not a single plate of food left over! We’ll be back next year!"
Powers said she was so inspired by the event last year that she put it on my calendar for this year as soon as the date was announced.
"It is such a privilege
to work with Ronni and her team for this event. The comradery
amongst the chefs and CEOs was extraordinary, everyone working together to
raise money for a worthy cause and provide a delightful evening for the 1,000+
guests and clients of OzHarvest,” Powers said.
“Ronni and her team have done a wonderful job highlighting the opportunity we all have to provide food for those in need – it was great to be involved in such a fantastic event,” Worrall added.
