Team Stefania - Dessert

The Cook Off 2025

Help Us Support the Mission

On 16th June our team will be supported by Chef Stefania Palermo at St Matthew in-the-City for The Cook Off.


For one night, we will come together to cook a delicious three-course meal for 150 Auckland City Mission guests, many of whom are experiencing homelessness or face a daily struggle to put food on the table.  It is more than just a meal; it’s about hope and a sense of community for those who need it most.


Please choose a fundraiser from our team to support as we whisk up hope, one dish at a time.  Each team member has committed to fundraising at least $10,000.  The more we raise the more people we can help.

EVERY SINGLE WEEK, over 1,600 warm and nutritious meals are served in Haeata, the Mission’s community dining room, to people who are living on the streets or in substandard accommodation without any ability to cook. 

What is alarming is that as winter approaches, many people living on the streets will bear the brunt of the cold, wet and miserable weather, but Haeata will continue to be a safe, dry space offering meals and connecting people to essential Missions support.

Collectively, we aim to raise enough funds to provide 15,625 meals this winter.   

By donating $320 you could provide 20 warm and nutritious meals in Haeata.
By donating $160 you could provide 10 warm and nutritious meals in Haeata.

Please support a team member in The Cook Off by making a donation. 

Visit here to see our progress on the Leaderboard!  

https://donate.aucklandcitymission.org.nz/event/cook-off/leaderboard

Thank you to our Sponsors

$5.02k

Chapman Tripp

Go well, Kelly!

$2.52k

Todd Corporation

$1.5k

Anonymous

$1.5k

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$1.02k

Giltrap Audi/cupra (quattro Motors Ltd)

Good luck with your Fundraising Goal Shawn on behalf of the Team

$1.02k

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$1.02k

Westlynn Panel

$1.02k

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$1.02k

Anonymous

$1.02k

Tmnz

Out standing Rob! a great cause all the best TMNZ

$1,000

Sg Fleet

The team at sgfleet are all behind you in support of this cause

$1,000

Anthony

Love what you do Vanessa.

$1,000

New World Mt Roskill Team

Go Sarah, well done cook up a storm!

$1,000

I A G Matching Donation

$1,000

I A G Matching Donation

$1,000

I A G Matching Donation

$820

Traffic Safe Nz

All the best with this wonderful initiative Rob!! We are rooting for you!! The Traffic Safe NZ team

$820

Gallagher Insurance

Good luck again for this year Garry ...

$820

Metro Supermarket Ltd

$520

Chevron Traffic

$520

Ray Haslar Autohaus

All the best for the Cook Off Shawn

$520

Parallaxx

$520

Steven Worrall

Great cause - go Vanessa!!

$520

New World Birkenhead

All the best Sarah - I'm sure you'll cook amazing food for a great cause!

$520

Steve Hornblow

$520

Anonymous

$520

Chris & Nath

Good on ya mate, best of luck!

$520

Peter Metcalfe

$500

Orix Nz

All the best Shawn!

$500

Simone & Chris

Hi Sarah This is a fantastic effort Go well Simone & Chris

$338

Anonymous

Go girl you're making a real difference...your cooking talent will shine through!

$338

Grant Woods

Hi Sarah Great work your involved in, well done!

$338

Tim Wilson

Great cause, go well!

$338

Jimmy & Sue

Great cause - good luck!

$338

Dean Hyde - Men At Work

Great cause Rob and team, thank you

$338

Becky & Simon Buckley

Go you!!! What a great event to be involved with xx

$338

Sarah Williamson

$338

Adrian Barkla

$338

Becs And Johnny

Fantastic Sarah - well done

$338

Elena Wise

Your passion for the health and wellbeing of your fellow Kiwis knows no bounds, Vanessa. You are amazing!

$338

John Ashton

Make the gravy smooth, not lumpy

$338

D K

$320

Morrinsville New World

Enjoy the cook off!! Thanks for representing New World. A great cause to support.

$320

Kiet

Always wearing your heart on your sleeve Vanessa!

$300

Lexus Of Auckland City

Supporting Shawn and the team in this great cause! Such a great initiative! Sharlene and the team at Lexus of Auckland City

$300

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$264

Piri Kake Itraffic

$264

Cara Nowell

Good luck in reaching your goal and have fun !

$264

Tim Hitchcock

$264

Wanganui Ins Brokers

Good on ya GT. Lotty

$264

Mw Insurance

Great cause Garry

$264

Chris O’malley

$250

Vivek Puthucode

Thank you for what you do V, simply amazing.

$232

Andrew Greatbatch

Fantastic cause. Good luck Garry!

$220

Nancy So

Good luck Garry!

$211

Anonymous

$211

Mick Miller

Great cause - good luck GT.

$211

Belinda Masfen

$211

Kirsten Stanfield

Enjoy the experience Sarah. Great cause!

$211

Sarah Finnegan

Great cause

$211

Robyn

Thanks for the opportunity Amy to support your goal. Robyn

$211

Rob Foster

Dont forget to add a pinch of chili!!

$211

Lisa Christensen

Great fundraiser cause Garry. All the best with the Cook-Off

$211

Steadfast Nz

Good luck with your fundraising for this great cause. From your friends at Steadfast.

$211

Rene Swindley

$211

Steph Ferris

Tautoko this important mahi GT

$211

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$211

Matt & Lisa

$200

Sara Mckenzie

From my bake sale.

$200

Anonymous

$200

Chris Hughes

Great cause !

$175

Jayesh Mowjee

Go Vanessa! You are an inspiration!

$173

Val Zuluaga

Thank you, Vanessa for this inspiring initiative. Your compassion, generosity and actions are making a real difference!!

$169

Vernon Brown

$169

Scott Hobson

Worthy cause Shawn - best of luck with raising funds!

$169

Polestar Auckland

$169

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$169

Grant & Jan Macdonald

Go girl!

$169

Claire Stewart

Great cause and have fun

$169

Frances Williams

Hey Rob, awesome work taking part in The Cook Off! Love that you’re stepping up to support such a great cause. Glad to chip in and back you—hope you smash that $10k goal! 👏🍽️

$169

Stephen Martin

$169

Andy

Legend effort GT for a great cause. Nice work.

$169

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$169

Alex Cohn

Well done Garry

$169

Stevo Misic

$169

Robert Havranek

What an awesome and inspiring initiative - huge kudos and thank you for doing this. Wishing you all the best with the fundraising.

$169

Henry Yang

Such an inspiring event Vanessa!

$169

Duncan Taylor

$169

Jason Walkerden

Love this Vanessa, thank you for championing those who need our support!

$169

Martin Stott

$169

Natasha

A truly inspirational leader who always leads with the heart and from the front

$169

Michelle Dawson

You're such an inspiration V. Love that you're doing this.

$169

Caid Szopa

On ya chief!

$169

Jacques Van Dyk

$169

Matt

Great cause Vanessa!

$169

Nancy Chen

$169

Vikki Maclean

Go you Shawn. Best of luck.

$169

Rob Mackie

$169

Ssk Consulting

Great cause Rob. Good luck 😊

$169

Tim Cook

Well done Shawn. Be expecting you to handle the catering for the next showroom event. Tim

$169

Shireen Chetty

Love your work Vanessa,

$169

Bruce Cullen

Great effort Rob, a worthy cause

$169

Murray Robertson

Good stuff Rob

$169

Craig West

well done Rob! a great cause and a humbling event. enjoy it and don't burn anything!

$160

Lyall Hedges

All the best Rob

$160

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$160

Alexandra Harnett

Good luck!!

$160

Gael Mclennan

$160

Lucy Spratt

$160

Anonymous

$158

Julia Dol

Go Ness, great cause and one that we all care about

$158

Jo

Amazing cause Rob. Lucky you’re a great cook!

$158

Arabella Mason

Go Vanessa! xx Arabella

$111

Adam R

Good luck Ness!!

$106

Wade Donovan

Great work coach, Leading from the front. Awesome initiative & great charity to assist. :-)

$106

Ange Mcneil

Way to go Rob!! I know you'll thoroughly enjoy yourself too.

$106

Anonymous

$106

Derek Toner

Best of luck with this Rob

$106

Steelie

Good on ya Ness

$106

Ben D'anvers

Thanks for doing this Vanessa. This is such a good cause.

$106

Charlie & Ruth Niu

Good on you Shawn, good luck bud!!

$106

Kathryn Harris

Go Vanessa! You're an inspiration!

$106

Anonymous

I know you will get that spatula working well for you!

$106

Thomas Hopkirk

Good on ya Rob, all the best.

$106

Brad Westgate

Good luck with the beetroot, GT

$106

Annika Streefland

Go girl!

$106

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$106

Dean Macgregor

Great work GT

$106

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$106

Rebecca Lambert

Such a great cause! I hope you hit your goal, it will make a real difference.

$106

Chris Olsen

$106

Stewart Ritson

$106

Bradley

$106

Brian Mackie

$106

Lesley Colcord

Awesome that you are doing this GT! Such a fun way to bring awareness and to help part of our community that needs some love. 🧡

$106

Nick Fitzpatrick

Great cause Amy, good on you for getting involved.

$106

Ek Nielsen

Fantastic cause Garry! Enjoy the cook off

$106

Jo Dooley

You’re an inspiration!

$106

Lindy

Go Vanessa! Such a great cause - thank you 🙏

$106

Alex Bai

thanks, pray for the people have warm meal daily and the love from others

$106

Jim Nicol

$106

Mike Moore

$106

Ken Lotu-iiga

$106

Damian Schade

Legend

$106

Marinka Simunac

Go V! So proud of you!

$106

Andrew & Kim

Well done Sarah, enjoy

$106

Jeremy Lamb

$106

Kirsty Chapman

Love the incredible work of City Mission!

$106

Michelle

You are amazing. Love your mahi.

$106

Nick Westbrook

$106

A K

here is to smashing your goal and the cook-off .. one bite at a time

$106

Ken Morrison

$106

Meg Smith

Mauri ora! Kia pai tō mahi Vanessa

$106

Harry Chawla

good luck Sarah

$106

Mark Weenink

$106

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$100

Anonymous

$100

Simone B

$100

Riya Baby

So proud of you Vanessa! Cheering you on! Woohoo!!!! :)

$100

Lucy Aston

Make your mother proud !

$100

Ben Montgomery

Beans on toast?

$100

Monica Maharaj

Good on you Garry. This is a great cause.

$100

Mike & Marsha Jenkins

All the best with the fundraising. Such an important kaupapa. Lotsa love from Mike & Marsha.

$100

Donna Gale

Good on you Garry!

$100

Venus Chan

Vanessa, love your passion in supporting the underprivilege!!

$100

Julie Waitai

All the best, and great job making a difference.

$84

Steve Hughson

You got this - go girl

$84

Price

Great mahi Shawn! Good luck with the fundraising

$84

Matt Tohill

Good on you mate. Great cause.

$84

Sam Witters

$84

Glynn Tulloch

$84

Catherine

Go Vanessa and what a worthy cause 👍❤️

$84

Shahid Saiyad

$84

Jennifer Barker

Go Vanessa! Love your work. Jen x

$84

David Riley

Good luck!!!

$84

Haley Coe

Go Amy! Well done for getting behind such a great cause!

$84

Peter Horton

GOOD LUCK CHEERS HORTY

$84

Christina Elliott

This is a great cause and greatful to help those in need.

$84

Kate Sholley

Best wishes Sarah

$84

Stacey Munro

Great cause - good luck Garry

$84

Andrew Mcdougall

Go Sarah - Good on you!

$84

Emma Nowell

Oh Amy this is amazing, wishing you all the best in reaching your goal. What a beautiful soul you are :-)

$84

Jake Grayson-barker

Good on you Rob!

$84

Tracey F

Great cause! Good on you Garry.

$84

Ryan Tarak

$84

Sonia C

$84

Ben

Amazing work you're doing here Vanessa!

$84

Lauren Nobbs

You are amazing Vanessa! Thank you for all that you do.

$84

Helen Yarranton

Good Luck, we will expect you to re create for the NLT after

$84

Paul Ah Kuoi

Nice work Shawny!

$84

Glenn Carson

Great stuff Rob

$84

Daniyel Mcavoy

Love what you do. Thank you.

$84

David Wigley - Marsh

$84

Juliana Damcevski

Go Vanessa!

$84

Olly

$84

Ross Twyman

$84

Dale Jones

Great cause Rob, and remember It's not how you start, it's how you finish!

$80

Jillian Goodman

Wonderful cause Vanessa! The City Mission do such a stellar job.

$80

Hana Schofield

Well done Amy

$80

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$58

Sean Long

$58

Agriworx

Great work Rob such a good cause!!

$56

Jas Singh

Great Cause Rob! Good stuff

$56

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$53

Mary Thomas

Great cause - well done Rob

$53

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$53

Vicki Collins

Such a great cause GT - have a great night

$53

Stan

Smash It!

$53

Andrew Wallace

$53

Kate Ayers Kate Ayers

Awesome you are doing this Rob!

$53

Aa

Kudos on this mahi, V!

$53

Ellie Hu

Go Vanessa!

$53

Al Cran

Thank you 🙏 for these gr8 works 💜

$53

Sarah Wall

So impressive Amy - please post pics of your dessert and good luck! x

$53

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$53

Nipun Jayaweera

Good on you Rob!

$53

Corinna

$53

Jason Phang

$53

Pawinee Tongpan

$53

Anonymous

$53

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$53

Richard Verdonk

Great cause Garry.

$53

Carly Mackay

$53

Lynn B

Great cause Amy.

$53

Carolyn Peyton

Go Garry !!!!

$53

Tania Charles

Ka rawe Garry! He tino pai tōu mahi!

$53

Tracy Trow

Massive love to you for this. Making real change to others lives. ❤️🥰❤️🥰

$53

Matthew Ng

$53

Jj

Always thinking and doing things for others is just one of the attributes that makes you an amazing leader ♥️

$53

Justin Cook

What a great cause Vanessa, thank you!

$53

Sarah Latch

Love this cause Garry

$53

Paul Mitchell

Great cause Rob, all the best.

$53

Mel Highet

Go Ness!

$53

Oliver Gussenhoven

Awesome to get behind this!

$53

Malia Leo

Mālo GT, wishing you all the best for a great cause!

$53

Dan Chan

Wonderful cause - good luck, Kelly!

$53

Gavin H

Keep up the good work mate!

$53

Hui Cheng

Well done, Vanessa! This is a great cause!

$53

Hollie Clareburt

$53

Craig White

$53

Grace Sorenson

Happy Birthday Mum. Your the Best

$53

Jack Sorenson

Happy Birthday to the best mum

$53

Lauren Curtayne

Great work Kelly!

$53

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$53

Alexander Georges

$53

Betty Mitrova

$53

Ross Godkin

$53

Chris Powell

Good effort Rob

$53

Joelene Cibulskis

Good on u! Hope u reach yr target!

$53

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$53

Kaikoura

Love the cause - happy tummy’s = happy people

$50

Shane Warbrooke

$50

Kelly Pearce

Awesome initiative !

$50

Andy & Nixie X

Best wishes... hope you hit your goal!!! Andy & Nixie x

$50

Eisa And Family :)

Your generosity and hands-on spirit will make a real difference for those who need it most. Thank you for leading with heart and action! ❤️

$50

Daniel Cook

$50

Josh Burgess

A worthy challenge Vanessa! Happy Birthday!

$50

Matt

Ready, steady, cook!

$50

Mike Keech

Go well, mate!

$42

Brett Dale

Good luck Rob!

$42

Jacob Mccoll

Awesome work Shawn

$42

Benoit Midol

Bon Appetit 😉

$32

Renate Smit

$32

Anonymous

$32

K Lodder

Good Luck - great cause!

$32

Rachel, Alaya And Jonty

$32

Bridget Vautier

Amazing! You’ve got this Sarah

$32

Sue Potter

$32

Mo Dearing

$32

Evette Thorp

$32

Georgina Yarranton

Go Rob!

$32

Lily Cameron

$27

Anonymous

$27

Kate Hargraves

so well done ! love it !

$26

Diane Brownfield

Great cause and I'm sure you will reach your goal. Well done.

$26

Simon Pollard

Nice one Rob!

$25

Alex Yovich

Awesome mahi, GT! Such a great cause that will help many in our community! Can't wait to hear how it goes.

$21

Robert Barlow

$21

Hayley Kinsey

Best of luck with your fundraising, Vanessa!

$21

Marika

Awesome contribution to the community Rob.

$21

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$21

Andrea Mcd

Go Garry!

$21

Katie

$21

Anonymous

$21

Yvonne Jennings

Great cause Rob, all the best with reaching your target

$21

Gunjan Sharma

Great cause Rob! Best of luck

$21

Anonymous

$21

Dan Park

Go well, Amy!!

$21

Loren Greig

$21

Jo And Darren

Go Shawn

$21

Karen Roscoe

$21

Ali

Amazing stuff Ness, hope you reach your target!

$21

Taylor Baty

You’re amazing xx

$21

Lara Taylor

Proud of you

$21

Dave Mackie

Good luck Rob!!

$21

Sandy Tawake - Aon Wairoa

All the best for the fundraising & your cook off! What a great cause!

$21

Julie Arnold

Good luck fundraising for this great cause!

$21

Callum Hyde

Good luck!

$21

Anonymous

$21

Alpesh Patel

$21

Kristal

Great cause Rob, love that you’re doing this

$21

Shaz & Baz

good luck Shawn love shaz & Baz

$21

Brett Kelly

$20

Suzie

Great Cause

$16

Anonymous

$11

Terri-lee Daly Rubick

This is so awesome of you to do. Love you xx

$11

Holly Partridge

Go Garry !!

$11

Quincy Ma

$11

Anonymous

$11

Anonymous

$11

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$11

Anonymous

$11

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$11

Anonymous

$11

Matched Donation

You have doubled your impact to help provide even more warm and nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness this winter. Thank you!

$10

Anonymous