Charity feast raises Bt14.1 million

It was the fourth consecutive year that Bangkok witnessed a gathering of executive chefs from 21 of Thailand’s leading five-star hotels and Thai Airways International. They successfully staged a 9-course feast at the 2012 Bangkok Chefs Charity Gala Dinner and Fundraiser, graciously presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in the Royal Ballroom of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
A grand total of Bt14.1 million was collected that evening, with Red Bull philanthropists Chalerm and Daranee Yoovidhya topping the list with a generous donation of Bt4 million, followed closely by Vichai Bencharongkul and his lovely family at Bt3.6 million. The third-highest bidder was none other than another loyal supporter of the annual charity, JS Uberoi, who announced his share of Bt3.1 million.
An additional Bt1 million – Bt900,000 from Hong Kong businessman Johnny Kang, yet another regular patron, and Bt100,000 from Proudpudh Liptapanlop – ended the fundraising session on a happy note before the evening of gourmet food and mood of giving for a most worthy cause.
Revenue from ticket sales amounted to a total of Bt2.4 million. As usual, part of the proceeds will benefit Border Patrol Police schools under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness and the remainder will help improve the livelihood and education of underprivileged children in the remote Amphur Omkoy in Chiang Mai.
The annual talk-of-the-town gastronomic fete was initiated in 2009 by general managers Nuntiya and Patcharin Hame-ung-gull of Gourmet One, importer and supplier of fine foods. Taking advantage of their contacts and connections, the sisters came up with this fundraiser to give back to society and at the same time showcase the quality, creativity and distinct style of Bangkok’s foremost food & beverage professionals.
The inaugural edition of Bangkok Chefs Charity was launched in 2009 in the gracious presence of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, with all proceeds going towards her Sai Jai Thai Foundation and needy children and schools in northern Thailand. Over Bt5 million, raised from auctions and ticket sales at the 2010 charity gala, benefited the Border Patrol Police schools under her patronage and went towards scholarships, educational equipment, food and children’s playgrounds at schools in Ubon Ratchani province.
 In 2011 the dinner and auction collected more than Bt12 million. Her Royal Highness was presented with a cheque for Bt10 million to benefit Border Patrol Police schools under her patronage, while the balance went to purchase educational equipment for Baan Daan Ngo School, Amphur Kaeng Krachang, Petchburi province; Wat Sangvorn School; and handicapped schoolchildren at Baan Nonthaphoom, Amphur Pakkret, Nonthaburi province.
Additionally, during the height of the 2011 floods, the Bangkok Chefs Charity committee donated four motorboats to Provincial Police Region 1 to help flood victims in Angthong province, and 10,000 flood-relief bags for those affected in Bangyai district, Nonthaburi province as well as Thawiwattana District in Bangkok.