Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace is organizing a gastronomic celebration showcasing the women power in the culinary world by bringing in 11 of the world’s best female chefs and 3 renowned artist and designers from 23 to 28 June 2014. During this 6-day event, they will feature artisanal cooking classes, degustation dinners, charity reception and gala dinner in many dining venues of the hotel.

The charity reception works with Project Hope to expands the mission of IHG to fulfill its corporate social responsibility. The entire fund collected during the reception will go to support young dropouts in poverty-stricken areas through Hope Schools, vocational education and scholarships for college and university students.

The international renowned culinary professionals are coming from around the world: 3-star Michelin Sofie Dumont is the first female finalist at the culinary competition "Prosper Montagne" and "Chef of the Year 2009" in Belgium; Francesca Simoni is the Executive Chef at Amerigo 1934 Trattoria in Italy, 1-star Michelin from 1998; Israel TV stars Michal Ansky and Ruthie Rousso are top judges at "Master Chef ISR" and "Iron Chef" respectively; American-Chinese Kelley Lee is the talented chef, entrepreneur and mastermind behind some of Shanghai’s most famous and well-loved eateries; Malika Ameen from Chicago was voted "Best Pastry Chef" by Angeleno; Cher D. Harris won "Pastry Queen 2014". Famous award winning master chefs Jamie Leeds from Washington, Nelly Grossi from Abu Dhabi, artisan cheese expert Juliet Harbutt and 1-star Michelin Sommelier Saskia Schurink will also join this event while Dutch artist Margareth Meulmeester, Chinese fashion designers Luna Li and Zhang Jingjing will complement the extravaganza.

About Project Hope: In November 2007, IHG set up the IHG Hope Fund and became a corporate partner of China Youth Development Foundation (Project Hope). By the end of 2013, the IHG Hope Fund had raised over RMB 28 million. This money has been used to build 28 IHG Hope Schools, fund IHG Service Classes with BN Vocational Schools in 9 cities, and launch a scholarship program in IHG Academies nationwide.