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Last year Col’ Cacchio partnered up with six of South Africa’s top chefs in an initiative to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital Trust – a trust that works to provide charity to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

Their campaign was able to raise over R120, 000.00 for the hospital and following such a success, Col’ Cacchio has invited another set of SA’s top chefs to participate in this year’s Celebrity Chef Series.

Chef Caro and I attended the launch of this year’s series at Col Cacchio’s in Cavendish square and there are some seriously droolicious pizzas on the go.

How yummy?

This year’s donations will be put towards the upgrade of the Burns Unit.  This ward admits over 1300 severely burned patients annually and has not been upgraded since 1956.

We were shown a short film about the children’s’ burn unit and the patients, family and doctors that will be helped with the funds raised – by the end of the film Caro was blubbing and I was ready to pledge my wages to the fund.  Many know that burns are the most painful of injuries to endure and watching little children with 3^rd degree burns suffer is heart wrenching.

So more about the series:

As this year is the Soccer World Cup each chef will represent a participating country, designing a pizza that is tailored to their countries’ unique flavours and customs.

The challenge, which will run from April to September 2010, will showcase a different chef’s masterpiece each month and allow customers to sample the exciting soccer inspired pizzas.

With every special gourmet celebrity pizza sold, R5.00 will be donated to the trust.

Here is a list of the chefs participating and their gorgeous creations:

Michael Broughton of Terroir:

Month: April

Pizza Name: Michaelangelo

Country Representing: Italy

Recipe: Figs, Potato, Garlic braised Rocket, Fontina Cheese topped with Parma Ham, a drizzle of Truffle Oil & fresh Origanum

David Higgs of Rust en Vrede:

Month: May

Pizza Name: Nacho Libre

Country Representing: Mexico

Recipe: Jerk Spiced Chicken Breast Strips, Home-style Guacamole, Fresh Chopped Tomato Salsa, Fresh Coriander & Sour Cream

Jodi-Ann Pearton of The Food Design Agency:

Month: June

Pizza Name: Bunny Chow

Country Representing: South Africa

Recipe: Tandoori Chicken, Tomato Chow, Mrs Balls Original Chutney, Fresh Coriander

Franck Dangereux of Foodbarn in Noordhoek:

Month: July

Pizza Name: La Zizou

Country Representing: France

Recipe: Seven Hour Lamb Stew, Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes, Spring Onions, Garlic topped with Basil Mayo & Fresh Basil

Nicky Gibbs of The Westcliff:

Month: August

Pizza Name: El Gaucho

Country Representing: Argentina

Recipe: Rump Steak Stew, Chimichurri, Rossa Sauce topped with Rocket & Sliced Red Onions (No Mozzarella)

Chantel Dartnall of Restaurant Mosaic at the Orient:

Month: September

Pizza Name: Christiana

Country Representing: Denmark

Recipe: Smoked Chopped Salmon, Baby Potatoes smothered in Basil Caper Dressing, topped with Pink Lump Fish, Sour Cream, Crispy Capers, Spring Onion & Dill

Visit any of the 18 Col’Cacchio pizzerias across South Africa from April to September 2010 to enjoy what this campaign has to offer.

I am definitely going to drag my family and friends to support – just need to chose which pizza I want … or I could have one once a month!

Love and Italian kisses

Kerry