Wiley, represented by Managing Director and CEO, Tom Wiley, were excited to be part of the CEO Cookoff in Brisbane. Not only was it a privilege to participate in such a fantastic cause, but it was humbling to serve the very people that the night was supporting, Australia’s most vulnerable.
As soon Tom heard of the CEO Cookoff was coming to Brisbane to compliment the Sydney event, he knew it was something he had to be part of.
“The CEO Cookoff was a fantastic opportunity to not only beef up my cooking skills but to marry two of my biggest passions: bringing people and food together in a better way AND feeding the world. This event was not just an opportunity to lend a helping hand, but to bring to light pressing food issues such as food wastage.” Said Tom.
Thanks to the kindness and support of our families, friends and extended network, Wiley were proud to help raise over $17K in donations. That is almost 35,000 meals for Australia’s disadvantaged. It was fantastic to see that even with the evening ending, donations were still rolling in.
Josue Lopez with Tom Wiley holding the OZ Harvest award for second place in fundraising in Brisbane.
The night saw 50 renowned chefs and 150 business leaders team up to create a 3 course meal made from store leftovers for 1300 homeless people in both Sydney and Brisbane. Tom was partnered with the talented Josue Lopez, Executive Chef at QAGOMA, who was recently awarded the Brisbane Times Good Food Guide 2016 Citi Chef of the Year.
Shout out to QAGOMA exec chef Josh Lopez & CEO @wileytalk who are participating in #Ozharvest‘s #CEOCookOff today pic.twitter.com/Jc189CuBYF
— QAGOMA (@QAGOMA) March 7, 2016
With Josue’s artistic flair, Tom’s barbecue prowess and a wonderful support team, they produced together an impressive meal for their table of 30. Wiley’s Digital PR and Communications Manager, Rachael Hedges was also on board to deliver an Aussie favourite for dessert.
Rachael from @Wileytalk is dishing up the final course for @OzHarvest #CEOCookOff – pavlova with fresh fruit! #yum pic.twitter.com/S6WqWjtWqU — OzHarvest Brisbane (@OzHarvestBrissy) March 7, 2016
The night was a huge success with both Sydney and Brisbane events raising over $1.4 million dollars, which translates to 3 million meals for our nation’s needy. What a wonderful effort to all involved and a big thank you to OzHarvest for creating such a special event and creating the opportunity to forge long-term support for the disadvantaged community and also highlight awareness around food wastage issues.
Queensland state manager OzHarvest Cameron Hickey says “What’s going to be most powerful is what happens afterwards. Having those businesses go ‘What can we do together in the future? What can we offer?’”.
Social highlights from the Brisbane 2016 Oz Harvest CEO Cook Off:
looking back at this fantastic event. what a huge night alongside other CEOs & chefs cooking for charity #ozharvest pic.twitter.com/wEyra9D2RW
— LukeWMangan (@LukeMangan) March 8, 2016
How many Chefs does it take to cook a BBQ? @tomwiley42 @josh1opez #CEOCookOff pic.twitter.com/1HSSOXQ7vd
— Rachael Hedges (@Rachael_09) March 7, 2016
The #CEOCookOff is well under way! @tomwiley42 is slicing & dicing, preparing meals for vulnerable Australians pic.twitter.com/KORyH48LRO
— Wiley (@Wileytalk) March 7, 2016
