On Tuesday, 19 September 2017, Park Hyatt Sydney together with the Principality of Monaco will be hosting a Masters of Food & Wine fundraising gala in support of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and its partner, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia, at its harbourfront signature restaurant The Dining Room.

Both true masters of detail in the epicurean world, Park Hyatt Sydney's executive chef Etienne Karner will welcome Michelin-star chef Benoît Witz of restaurant Le Vistamar at The Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, one of Monaco's most luxurious hotels, to share his kitchen.

Having worked under the tutelage of some of the greatest French chefs of our time, Paul Bocuse and Alain Ducasse, French-born Benoît is an expert in refined yet authentic Mediterranean cuisine, and now passionately interprets cuisine from the South of France.

Debuting in The Dining Room for one night only, the evening will showcase the true talents of a Michelin-star chef and Park Hyatt Sydney's executive chef as they engineer a gastronomic journey that is unique and uncommon, crafting a menu with the finest seasonal Australian produce.

To complete this exclusive culinary experience, proceeds from the evening including an enviable silent auction list, will benefit the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation where funds raised on the evening will go to the Royal Life Saving Swim & Survive Access and Equity Program in Australia. The program provides swimming and water safety skills for children who have had limited or no exposure to the water, providing skills that could one day save their life.

As cultivators of unique experiences, Park Hyatt Sydney's waterfront restaurant The Dining Room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and unrivalled view of the Sydney Opera House and glittering Sydney Harbour will be exclusively closed to host the evening.

To find out more or to book a table, kindly call 02 9256 1661 or email phsydney.diningroom@hyatt.com.

For more news and information on Park Hyatt Sydney, visit sydney.park.hyatt.com. For interview opportunities, please contact Maryam Awang at maryam.awang@hyatt.com.

Note

This special event is hosted by Park Hyatt Sydney in partnership with the Principality of Monaco, in celebration of ten years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Monaco. The beneficiary of the evening is the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and funds raised will go to the Foundation's partner, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia. The primary objective of both charity organisations is to save lives by putting an end to drowning.

About Benoît Witz

In March 2016, The Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo appointed Benoît Witz as its Executive Chef. Born in Alsace, France, Benoît Witz now passionately interprets cuisine from the South of France and helms the reins of the Michelin star restaurant Le Vistamar.

Witz started his career in the 1980s as a Commis Chef in Paul Bocuse's restaurant in Lyon. Shortly after his time there he pursued work at Pré Catelan in Paris before becoming a founding member of the Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l'Hôtel de Paris in 1987. He spent three years getting to know and eventually falling in love with this intricate yet essential cuisine. He continued his apprenticeship at the Résidence de La Pinède in Saint-Tropez, and then in Lucien Barrière's Restaurant in Menton before returning to the Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l'Hôtel de Paris from 1993 to 1995.

After spending a year as a Sous-chef in Vallon de Valrugues in Saint-Rémy de Provence, Alain Ducasse appointed Witz as Chef at the Bastide de Moustiers in 1996, where he stayed for the next four years. For the reopening of the Hostellerie de l'Abbaye de la Celle in 1999, Witz, the heart and soul of the restaurant, used his skilled technique to bring in a unique sunny styled cuisine. The restaurant was rewarded with a Michelin star in 2006 and has held the title since.

About Etienne Karner

Park Hyatt Sydney's Executive chef Etienne Karner has been passionate about cooking since he was a child and it didn't take him long to decide that he wanted to be a chef. 

Etienne began his career in France but his love for travelling soon took him to places such as the United States, the Caribbean and Ireland to explore new cultures and cuisines. His debut with the Hyatt family began at Grand Hyatt Goa in India, where he led the kitchen at The Verandah – the hotel's signature restaurant. Prior to joining Park Hyatt Sydney, Etienne was cooking up a storm as executive sous chef at Park Hyatt Dubai.

About Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation

Launched on 14 December 2012, the primary objective of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is to save lives by putting an end to drowning. Its missions are to raise public awareness about the dangers of water, teach children preventive measures and teach them to swim.

The World Health Organization estimated that 372,000 people drowned worldwide in 2012 (1).When a drowning is non-fatal, often the victim is left with severe aftereffects, in particular neurological. A number of “Learn to Swim” and “Water Safety” programmes have been implemented around the world in order to fight against this scourge.

The Foundation's actions are also based on the values of sport such as discipline, self-respect and respect for others, determination and team spirit. The “Sport and Education” programme uses sporting activities as tools to contribute to the well-being and development for all children no matter their origin or circumstances.

From December 2012 through to December 2016 more than 307,000 people, mainly children, benefited from these three programmes in 30 countries. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.fondationprincessecharlene.mc

(1) Reproduced with the publisher's permission – Fact Sheet N°347, Avril 2014, published by the World Health Organization  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs347/en/

About Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

A major player in luxury tourism in Europe, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer owns the most prestigious venues in Monaco: 4 casinos, including the legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo, 4 hotels (Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Beach, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort), and 33 restaurants including 4 awarded 6 prestigious Michelin stars between them. 150 years of history have shaped the soul of this legendary resort and built up an image of excellence and a global reputation in gambling and entertainment, haute cuisine and prestigious hotels, luxury shopping, wellness and real estate. Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, guardian of its historical role in the state's economic, social and cultural development, will reveal in December 2018 the splendid renovation of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. The Group is also taking the lead on creating a new One Monte Carlo district, which will be completed in 2019 with 7 new buildings for residences, offices, conference rooms, restaurants and shops. Monte-Carlo Société Bains de Mer is also one of the key partners of major events in Monaco such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. The Group currently has over 4100 employees and recorded a turnover of 458,8 million euros for the financial year 2016-2017. For more information about the Group, please visit www.montecarlosbm.com

About Park Hyatt Sydney
Seated majestically on one of the world's most beautiful harbours, Park Hyatt Sydney perfectly personifies contemporary luxury with its coveted location between the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Reminiscent of an exclusive harbourside residence, the hotel offers intimate surrounds with architecture, art and design that reflect the Australian landscape.             

ABOUT PARK HYATT

Park Hyatt hotels provide discerning, affluent business and leisure guests with elegant and luxurious accommodations. Guests of Park Hyatt hotels receive highly attentive personal service in an intimate environment. Located in several of the world's premier destinations, each Park Hyatt hotel is custom designed to combine sophistication with a distinctive regional character. Park Hyatt hotels feature well-appointed guestrooms, meeting and special event spaces for groups, critically acclaimed art, food and beverage program, and signature restaurants featuring award-winning chefs. There are currently 36 Park Hyatt hotels in the following locations: Abu Dhabi, Beaver Creek, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Busan, Canberra, Changbaishan, Carlsbad, Chennai, Chicago, Dubai, Goa, Hamburg, Hyderabad, Istanbul, Jeddah, Maldives, Melbourne, Mendoza, Milan, Moscow, New York, Ningbo, Paris, Saigon, Sanya, Seoul, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vienna, Washington, D.C., Zanzibar, Zurich. For more information, please visit www.parkhyatt.com.

CONTACT: Maryam Awang
Marketing Communications Manager
Park Hyatt Sydney
(+61) 2 9256 1234
maryam.awang@hyatt.com