Gateway shoppers were treated to an exciting experience during August, September and October 2014 when ten of South Africa’s top celebrities took part in the second Gateway Celebrity Chef Showdown at six of Gateway’s restaurants.
The celebrity lineup included, popular Isidingo actress, Leeanda Reddy; model and Survivor South Africa winner, Vanessa Marawa; Bold and the Beautiful actress and face of cosmetic brand, L’Oreal Paris, Terry Pheto; East Coast Radio breakfast show co-host, Natarah Nadesan; five times SAMA nominated and MTV Africa Music Awards winners, Gangs of Ballet; South African MasterChef Deena Naidoo and many others.
Visitors to Gateway were invited to make bookings to attend any of the six evenings in order to enjoy a night of good food, entertainment and healthy competition.
Each celebrity that competed selected a local charity of their choice at the start of the campaign. 10% of the income generated through these events was to be donated to the winning celebrity’s charity of choice.
The Celeb Chef finale culminated at Beluga where the winning chefs from each evening competed for the Ultimate Celeb Chef title. South African Master Chef, Deena Naidoo, cooked his way to the title after patrons scored his meals highest out of all the celebrities. As the overall winner, Deena Naidoo nominated the VN Naik School For the Deaf, a special needs school, as his charity. A total of R25 308 was raised from participating restaurants including R9000 in Checkers vouchers. Mr T.M. Govender, principal of the school, was delighted to have his school nominated to be the recipients of the funds. The money will go towards an upgrade of their Hospitality Department where students receive training in the catering and hospitality department.
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