24 Jul Sizzling Success: VietHarvest’s 2nd CEO CookOff Fuels Dreams of a Nourishing Hub in HCMC!
The aroma of culinary passion filled the air as VietHarvest hosted its second annual CEO CookOff in 2024, a night of unparalleled generosity and community spirit. Building on the momentum of our inaugural event, this year’s CookOff aimed to raise crucial funds for a vital cause: establishing a Nourishing Hub in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing us closer to our vision of a hunger-free Vietnam.
Following the resounding success of our first year, which saw the launch of food rescue operations and the delivery of thousands of meals, this year’s event showcased the incredible impact we’ve made. Over the past two years, VietHarvest has proudly delivered over 78,000 meals, rescued 39 tons of food, and forged strong partnerships with 20 generous donors and 20 dedicated charities across Hanoi and HCMC.
The grand ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel Saigon transformed into a bustling hub of culinary creativity, where 40 passionate CEOs and business leaders donned aprons alongside 12 of Vietnam’s and Australia’s finest ambassador chefs. This unique format, inspired by the renowned OzHarvest model, saw these influential figures collaborate to craft a delectable 3-course meal for over 150 guests from social impact organizations and local heroes.
The evening was a symphony of flavors, laughter, and heartfelt connections. Beyond the exquisite dining experience, the CookOff served a deeper purpose: to empower VietHarvest to expand its reach and nourish the underserved. This year, we are thrilled to announce that we raised over $60,000 USD, a testament to the unwavering support of our community.
“People are the same all over the world, and there are people in the world who are just in need of support as there’s in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Vietnam,” shared Adrian Cosenza from the Australian Orthopedic Association, who flew all the way from Australia with his wife to participate. Adrian, a dedicated OzHarvest supporter, felt compelled to join VietHarvest’s mission, highlighting the universal need forassion and VietHarvest’s mission is to Nourish Our Community, one meal at a time. We are immensely grateful to everyone who contributed to the resounding success of the 2nd CEO CookOff. Your generosity and support are instrumental in creating a brighter future for those in need.
A heartfelt thank you to our invaluable sponsors and partners:
* Main sponsoring partners: General Consulte of Australia in Vietnam, Ly Gia Vien, Vietnam Airlines.
* Supporting partners: InterContinental Saigon, ABA Cooltrans Pakko, Fataco, Fision.
* In-kind sponsoring partners: Sanha Foods, Meatworks, Classic Fine Foods Vietnam, Orlar, Penfolds, RADA Vietnam & Zô Merchant, Betty’s Choice, H Cookware, EQUO, Annam Professional, Alaska Prime, Asia Auction House, Robert Seah, Together we can change the world, Bambino & Leftovers, Eco Solutions, ITAL
Event Highlights:
* $60,000+ USD raised
* 150+ charity and social impact guests enjoyed a 3-course meal
* 12 Ambassador Chefs
* 40 CEOs participated
* 200 meals packed and distributed
Together, we are making a tangible difference. Join us in our mission to create a nourishing and sustainable future for Vietnam.
