:: Bill Ranken's SydneyBy: photos: Bill RankenHere is a rundown of some of the recent happenings around Sydney as observed by respected photographer Bill Ranken.
The premiere of Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather Restoration on DVD occurred at the Sydney State Theatre recently. A 65-piece symphony orchestra delighted the guests in playing the Godfather score. Special guests were Godfather cast members Talia Shire and Gianni Russo.
Here are pictures from the event.
 |  | | Talia Shire | Gianni Russo |
 |  | | Vince Colosimo | Damien Walshe-Howling and friend |
 |  | | Natasha Belling | Kate Ceberano |
 | | | Les Murray and daughter Natalie |
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Pictures from the Pie Eating Contest at Harry's Cafe de Wheels at Wooloomooloo
 |  | | one of Harry's famous pies | jeweller Kate McCoy |
 |  | | Charlotte Dawson entered the contest | Charlotte Dawson & Kyle Linahan |
 |  | | the scene at the contest |
 |  | | hostesses | model Jodi McNamara offers an alternative |
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The Jeans for Genes Gold Charity Dinner was held in the Hilton Hotel Ballroom. 400 guests turned up for the dinner which raised $200,000.00. A great night for a very good cause. The money raised will go to the Children's Medical Research Foundation which is having its 50th anniversary this year. Newsreader Chris Bath is seen pictured below wearing a lovely necklace by the House of Fraser was MC for the evening and 2GB's Ray Hadley was the auctioneer. A highlight was the pair of jeans signed by three members of the Police band which was bought by Corbitt Research for $22,000.00.
 |  | | Chris Bath | Sara Groen |
 |  | | Tara Moss | The McClymonts - Samantha, Mollie & Brooke |
 | | | Stephanie Antonis & Sarah Bella |
 | | helper Winnie Ma |
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The Tancredi Jewellery Shop at 29 Bay Street, Double Bay threw a really smart launch party to show the latest Tancredi collection from Italy. The room was full of some really stunning girls, “I thought I wandered into heaven.”
The shop was transformed into an Italian garden with a catwalk where the models showed off the fabulous jewellery. A top night with the Old Moet on tap plus a very trendy little house special, the Tancredi Belleni.
Tancredi jewellery has been worn by such notables as Jennifer Lopez, Ivana Trump, Sharon Stone, Cindy Crawford, and Paris Hilton.
 | | Tancredi on the catwalk |
 | | models Morena and Yvette |
 | | Mariah Monaghan & Robert Bonnick |
 | | Amy Erbacher & Julie Ott model Tancredi bracelets |
 | | Gemma Sanderson |
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The annual Lexus Young Chef and Waiter of the Year award was “ One Hot Night”. Held at B2 Studio in Alexandria, Sydney, it attracted the whose who of the culinary world. Some of the big names of the Sydney and Adelaide restaurant scene were amongst the throng, including Luke Mangan, Tetsuawakuda, Tony Bilson and Adelaide Supremo, and Chong Liew. The guest of honour was English Chef Tom Aikens whose Tom Aikens Restaurant is one of England's best.
A highlight was last year's winner Melanie Gowers who also won one of the most prestigious chef awards in the world, the St Pelagri Award. Richard Wilkins was MC and the very popular Martini Club Band kept the show jumping.
The Lexus Awards is one of the highlights on the Sydney food event calendar. It was certainly One Hot Night.
 | | Winner of Australian Young Chef Of The Year - Jake Nicholson of Circa, Melbourne |
 | | Winner of Young Waiter Of The Year = Chris Gingell, Victoria |
 | | guests |
 | | Tom Aikens |
 | | Peter Susman & Chong Liew |
 | | Fiona McDonald, John Fink, Nicole Wilcoks & Luke Mangan |
 | | Steven Burling & Kelly Dahlberg |
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Gypsy Wood shows her wares
Gypsy Wood's name has long been synonymous in Sydney with 50s glamour and Golden Age Hollywood burlesque. She recently released her own version of that classic objet d'tease: her own deck of vintage-style pin-up playing cards, featuring 52 shots of Ms Wood against a series of colourful backdrops representing various cities of the world.
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Leo Sayer's 60th birthday at the Ivy nightclub
Lots of Leo's friends and a few of the usual rent-a-crowd turned out for the perfectly formed Leo Sayer who has now made Australia home. A great party, plenty of air kissing and good booze.
Happy Birthday Leo!
 | | Leo Sayer and friends |
 |  | | | Jonathon Coleman and Barry Crocker | Leo Sayer with Ivy owner Justin Hemmes |
 |  | | | Bianca Spender with her mother Carla Zampatti | Miss World Australia 2007 Caroline Pemberton |
 | | | Dianne Besoff and Jack Thompson |
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The Sydney Italian Festival
The launch was held at the Art Gallery of NSW. Some of the big names from the Italian Embassy were amongst the crowd including: the Italian Ambassador - Stephen Starace Janfolla and the Consul General for Italy. A great selection of Italian food was on offer with two of Sydney's top Italian Chefs Amando Percuoco and Lucio Galletto offering the special treats.
 | | | Winsome Fox with Maserati | |
 | | Paul Martell |
 | | Italian Consul-General Benedetto Latteri with chef Amando Percuoco, Italian Ambassador Stefano Starace Janfolla & chef Lucio Galetto |
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Dorian Ho
Internationally renowned designer Dorian Ho showcased his Winter 08 collection based on Beijing Theatre theme, featuring a magnificent range of elegant gowns displaying elaborate couture rouching, feathers and detailed embelishments from cocktail dresses to glamourous ball gowns.
Available at L’Elegante in Double Bay.
Hong Kong based designer distributes throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States
 | | | Juliet Love, Chinese dancer and Zara Rattue |
 | | Dorian Ho with Adpro Management Models |
 | | | Grant Dwyer, Chinese Dancer and Paris Dwyer |
 | | Chinese Dancer, Dorian Ho and Marie Linker of L’Elegante |
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Miss Chinatown 2008
Supporters and guests packed out Cherri Jam at Double Bay for the final of Club Fever’s Miss Chinatown 2008. Finalists from heats 1 and 2 were hand picked to compete for the title on May 2. Grant Dwyer, competition organiser and sponsor from AMG modelling and talent agency said, ‘This was a great event that not only showcased the entrants' oriental beauty but also showcased our local businesses here in Double Bay."
Sponsors included Charles Foulsham photography – Double Bay, Chaggal Hair Salon in Transvaal avenue, Adam and Eve clothing and Coco Song sunglasses.
Prizes included cash and prizes to the value of $10,000 and special guest judge Dorian Ho (Hong Kong based Fashion Designer), headed up the judging panel.
The final eatured images of the entrants taken by Charles Foulsham flashed up on a projector through out the night and finalists paraded in beautiful red Cheongsams as well as the usual evening gowns and swimsuits.
 | | | Miss Chinatown winner – Cathy Zhang |
 | | Finalists and Dorian Ho (fashion designer) |
 | | | Heat 2 contestants |
 | | Heat 2 contestants with award winning photographer Charles Foulsham |
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AJC Racing Carnival
 |  | | Megan Gale | Miranda Kerr |
 |  | | Catriona Rowntree | Tara Moss & Hugh Jackman |
 |  | | Ian Purchass and Jane Flemming | Juliet Love and Angela Belle Mcsweeney |
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