Accor's inaugural event 'Kitchen Battles' was a culinary success, raising over $32K for Cure Kids. 

Taking place last Friday in Pullman Auckland's Princes Ballroom, 'Kitchen Battles' was attended by over 500 guests including All Black Jerome Kaino, celebrity fashionista Colin Mathura-Jeffree and 'The Block' winner, Ben Crawford.

Pop star, Lizzie Marvelly, kicked off the night with a pitch perfect performance of her newly released song 'Collisions' from her latest EP, before joining famed kiwi Chef Michael Meredith and Dollop Kitchen owner, Julia Crownshaw as an official judge for the night.

Host Jesse Mulligan entertained the crowd as the Accor hotel GMs and local suppliers tried every trick in their repertoire to skew the voting in their favour. From plate smashing to Brazilian dancers, this competition was a no holds barred contest where any and all tactics were embraced.

“There was definitely strong rivalry between the hotels”, says Chef Michael Meredith. They have truly put everything on the line to be crowned the winner which made it a very entertaining night to be part of”.

 “Julia, Lizzie and I had lots of fun interacting with the stall owners and judging the dishes. It was all about having fun, says Michael, “I have to say though I don't think we have ever been offered so many complimentary room nights in exchange for winning votes – it was hilarious”.

In the end there could only be one winner and Julia Crownshaw of Dollop Kitchen was quick to share what won the judges votes on the night.

“As judges we all bought our own experience and expertise to the table” says Julia Crownshaw. “There was a lot of talent shown on the night, but in the end it was a consistent combination of flavours and simplicity and that won our vote.”

That winning vote was awarded to 'Roberto's', a Mexican taco food stall led by General Manager of Pullman Auckland and Head Chef for the night, Rob McIntyre.

“We were very happy to get recognised for our culinary skills by the esteemed judges”, says Rob McIntyre, “In fact I believe the bottle of Tequila is on its way to the judges at present”.

Close Runners-Up were Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and their Greek stall 'Zeus's Kouzina', with the 'People's Choice Award' being received by Novotel Auckland Airport for their 'Big Bad Wolf' pork inspired food stall. The full costumed 'three little piggys' being a crowd favourite on the night.

Cure Kid's Philanthropy and Fundraising Manager Dellwyn Stuart who attended the night was full of praise for the fundraising effort.

“We are so grateful to have Accor as one of our key partners and supporters”, Says Dellwyn, “This event was so much fun to be a part of and with the end result being over $32K raised for Cure Kids, it was a great success”.

Plans are already underway for next year's event with the intention to build on the momentum and success from this event.

“This year's event was such a great success”, says Pullman Auckland GM, Rob McIntyre, “We are looking forward to hosting the event again next year and raising even more funds for this fantastic charity.”

Editor's note

• Kitchen Battles for Cure Kids raised over $32K for Cure Kids.
• All the proceeds on the night are going to support the amazing work that Cure Kids does for the children of Fiji, specifically projects such as the Rheumatic Heart Disease Prevention and a Control Program to improve screening for and detection of RHD in school aged children.
• Accor Hotels New Zealand and Fiji has been a key partner and keen supporter of Cure Kids since 2003. Accor and its employees have raised over $3 million dollars primarily through event fundraising.
• Overall Kitchen Battles Winner – 'Roberto's' by Pullman Auckland, Kitchen Battles Runner-up 'Zeus's Kouzina' by Sofitel Auckland Viaduct harbour
• People's Choice winner 'Big Bad Wolf' by Novotel Auckland Airport
• Michael Meredith's own 'Meredith's restaurant' runs Dine By Donation every Tuesday night, with a four-course degustation menu paid for by a donation of diners' choice. In addition to supporting this event as a judge, for the next month Michael is donating all proceeds from his Dine By Donation night to Cure Kids. http://www.merediths.co.nz/

Media Contact:

Alana Bevan

Marketing Communications and Brand Manager

Pullman Auckland

T: +64 9 358 8008

E: a.bevan@pullmanauckland.co.nz

About Accor Race to Survive Fiji to Cure Kids

From humble beginnings in 2006, the Accor Race to Survive Fiji has grown into a biannual event, which in October 2014 will see approximately 90 competitors compete in the “Amazing Race” style event over 5 days. Over the past 8 years funds raised by Accor Hotels via this event have been invested in a range of health care institutions, however for the past 4 years these funds have primarily been used in a Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) screening programme. This programme aims to ensure, via a mobile nurse led programme, school aged children all around the Islands of Fiji are screened for RHD. Accor Race to Survive Fiji funds are used to fund the doctors and nurses, the equipment required to complete the screening programme along with ongoing support to the children found to be suffering RHD. The next phase of this programme is set to receive international recognition, following recent exposure and discussions at global RHD gatherings involving the word experts in this area.

Visit www.accorracetosurvive.co.nz for more information.

About Cure Kids 

Cure Kids is a Kiwi charity that also funds research into cures and better treatments for a wide range of conditions affecting New Zealand children such as: cot death (SUDI), stillbirth, leukaemia, rheumatic heart disease, asthma and inherited heart conditions among many others

Visit www.curekids.org.nz for more information.

Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 92 countries with more than 3,500 hotels and 450,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Quay West, Sebel, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis budget - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget.With more than 160,000 employees in Accor brand hotels worldwide, the Group offers its clients and partners 45 years of know-how and expertise.

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