Macau, China (December 12, 2007) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — At the International Auction of the Tuscan Truffle, which took place on 1st December at Hotel Grand Lisboa, Macau, China, the successful bidder for the giant truffle was Dr. Stanley Ho, who paid US$330,000 for the 1.5 kilo tuber.

There were three auctions of smaller Tuscan truffles that took place simultaneously around the world: in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence, Italy; in the Restaurant of Giorgio Locatelli in London and at Hotel Grand Lisboa, Macau, China. It was in the Hotel Grand Lisboa that the Truffle of the Century came up for auction. Guests at the gala dinner and auction included VIPs from Hong Kong and Macau, members of the Consular Corps, internationally famous celebrity Ms. Zhou Xun, representatives of the Charities chosen to receive the donations and international press.

These three major events were linked via live television satellite, allowing attendees to bid internationally at any one of the three venues. There were a total of 14 lots of white truffles for sale in the three auctions and Macau successfully bid 11 lots.

All the proceeds from the three auctions are going to Charity foundations. In Italy, the money will be given to Telethon; in Macau the donations will go to five charities – the Caritas de Macau, Obra das Maes, Associacao Beneficencia Tung Sin Tong and Associacao de Beneficencia do Hospital Kiang Wu and the Macau Special Olympics Team; in London the proceeds will go to The Consortium for Street Children.

On the occasion of the auction, Dr. Stanley Ho, Managing Director of SJM, said, "Grand Lisboa is the co-organizer of this charity event in Macau, and I am pleased to lend it my biggest support. I am doubly pleased to be the owner of this unique truffle and be able to help the needy in society."

The auction in Macau raised a total of US$429,000 for good causes and the five charity organizations each received US$85,800's donations.

 

  • Maggie Lee / Tiffany Chan
    Tel: (853) 8895 0999/ 8895 088
    Email: maggielee@macausjm.com / tiffanychan@macausjm.com

[smpr_tags]Hotel, Hotel Grand Lisboa, Charities[/smpr_tags]