Hell of a meal for charity

Gastronomic mysteries will face diners at an innovative fundraising dinner on Saturday night.

The Rotary Club of Tauranga Sunrise has organised the event - dubbed Kitchen Hell - as an opportunity for people to dine with the movers and shakers of the Tauranga business community and to make a huge difference to two local charities. And movers isn't a description that is out of place.

"Kitchen Hell is one the best business networking events in Tauranga, because you rotate tables at each course allowing diners to interact with three different groups of people while feasting on culinary delights," says club president Warren Banks.

In all 14 chefs will each prepare three-course meals for their allocated tables of 10 with their menus kept under wraps until the night of the event.

Diners will be able to have a starter, main course and dessert cooked by three different chefs on three different tables during the course of the evening.

Each dish can be rated, with feedback provided to the chefs at the end of the evening.

Among the chefs showing off their culinary skills are Steffi Mueller, a German chef who authored the cookbook Keep It Simple and Stephen Wilson, who honed his skills working in top kitchens in Paris.

Steffi is also donating to both charities, $5 from each book sold on her website (www.motivation4u.co.nz) until the end of November.

Chef Peter Blakeway, who is a regular feature on TV One Breakfast's cooking segments, is also donating his time and expertise to assist with raising funds for the worthy causes.

All proceeds from the evening will go to disaster relief organisation ShelterBox and anti-poverty charity Cambodia Charitable Trust.

ShelterBox is a a non-profit organisation that delivers emergency shelter and supplies kits to people affected by disasters worldwide while the Tauranga-based Cambodia Charitable Trust works to assist Cambodian women and children escape the trap of extreme poverty and slavery by providing housing, healthcare and education.

Kitchen Hell takes place on Saturday evening at Tauranga Girls' College. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased by contacting Bronwyn Smith either by email (bronwynsmith@trustpower.co.nz) or telephone (029 293 5443).