Two South American chefs are coming together later this month to support Ōamaru’s Zonta Club in raising money for the fight against ovarian cancer.

Local restaurant Cucina’s Argentinian chef Pablo Tacchini and Queenstown-based Uruguayan chef Federico Scattone of Southern Feugos will combine their skills to cook an asado feast at the home of Windsor couple Grant and Ele Ludemann.

Former Waitaki Boys’ High School pupil and television presenter Peter Williams, whose first wife Cecile died of ovarian cancer, will speak at the event.

The Ludemanns also have a personal connection to the cause - their daughter Jane founded the Ovarian Cancer Foundation of New Zealand following her own diagnosis in 2017, aged 32.

Zonta is an international organisation with the mission of “building a better world for women and girls”.

Fundraising committee member Michelle Harrison says fundraising for the cause fits well with Zonta’s values, and one of it's main focuses, which is health.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of female cancer death and deadlier than the other four gynaecological cancers combined, because it is often misdiagnosed or undetected until it is in the later stages. 

“One of the reasons for that is a lack of research,” Michelle says. 

“All funds raised at the lunch will go to help support women with the disease and fund research to improve treatment and, ultimately, find a cure.”

Fellow committee member Andrea Armstrong says South American chefs are renowned for their method of cooking of red meat and vegetables over outdoor charcoal and wood fires.  

“This will be a unique opportunity to enjoy the collaboration by the two chefs, hear from someone with personal experience of the devastating impact of ovarian cancer and support Zonta’s fundraising for a very worthy cause,” Andrea says.

The lunch is on Sunday, June 29. For more information or tickets, email [email protected]

Southern Fuegos chef Federico Scattone basting an asado. Photo: Supplied/Facebook