Australian Masterchef Trio aid to Stop Hunger Now

Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston of MasterChef Australia to host The Longest Dinner Table at Sandton City in aid of Stop Hunger Now SA

Masterchef Australia Trio: Gary, George and Matt will be appearing together for the first time in the country in aid of a really good cause. All have visited South Africa at different times but are delighted to be sharing a platform together for this very worthy cause. 

The trio will be hosting The Longest Dinner Table in aid of Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa, which takes place at Sandton City Shopping Centre on Wednesday, September 7, from 18h30 to 19h30. Packing starts at 11h00 on the Wednesday with the celebrity trio joining at the finale. So everyone is invited to be part of the longest table - there is no charge - (Yes, you read that right, it is completely FREE) and assist in packing meals for homeless and hungry children. The target is to pack 50 000 meals on the day.

The trio of MasterChef judges will mingle with all the packers present, sharing their cooking secrets and giving away spot prizes on an evening that offers a dinner table with a difference.

MasterChef Australia (the latest season is scheduled to return to South African television in December) first aired in 2009 and made the three hosts and judges global stars. 

Joining them will be Brent Owens - MasterChef Australia 2014 winner and author of the bestselling cook book Dig In, who is currently in South Africa filming a new food and adventure television series titled Brent Owens Unwrapped … South Africa. 

A bit of info about Stop Hunger Now SA: 

- Established in Johannesburg in 2009 - the same year as MasterChef Australia made its debut.

- Provides nutritious meals and life-saving aid to the country's destitute and hungry children under the guidance of chief patron Graça Machel.

- Meals are fully balanced (soy meal fortified with 23 essential minerals & vitamins, rice & a soup mix) and are specially formulated according to UNICEF standards to combat hunger and malnutrition.

- Each bag supports 10 children & requires only water and 30-40 minutes cooking time using electricity, gas or wood. 

- Meals can be stored for up to one year.

Says Julie Hillary, Sandton City’s general manager: “At Sandton City we care about the community and, the fact that so many people are going to bed hungry, is of great concern to us. We are delighted to team up with Stop Hunger Now SA to help alleviate this problem. We are also honoured to have Gary, George and Matt on board to help pack meals for this very worthy cause.”

Says Saira Khan, CEO of Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa: “We conduct meal packaging events with volunteers because it is as important to engage as many people as possible in the effort to eradicate hunger. Our events also serve as a platform to educate people about hunger, what they can do about it, and to inspire them to take further action.”

Our very own Miss South Africa, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, will also be there. She has this to say: "I believe in giving back and I am privileged to find myself in a position where I am able to do just that. I am delighted to be helping pack these meals, which are nutritionally balanced, for Stop Hunger Now SA. It is shocking that so many children in this country go to school without a meal. If we want to make a difference we should start with our  children."

So get in on the action and come help out at this amazing event to make a change and help us Stop Hunger Now.