Stanley Ho, managing director of SJM, bid 200,000 US dollars, approximately 1.6 million patacas for a 1.08 kilo Italian white truffle, and paid another 330,000 US dollars, approximately 2.64 million patacas for a 1.5 kilo tuber.
According to a company statement released yesterday, a total of 1.83 million Hong Kong dollars were raised for local charities.
Another four auctions were held simultaneously in London, Rome and Abu Dahi, which were all linked via live television satellite, allowing guests at a gala dinner to bid internationally at any of one of the four venues.
A total of 16 lots of white truffles were up for sale in the four auctions and Macau alone bid for eight lots.
Stanley Ho said in his speech that the company was “grateful to all, including the organiser and the participating cities, that have made this international culinary event of the year possible. We are pleased that the venue in Macau is again our Hotel Grand Lisboa, and we are doubly pleased that the fun and excitement of the charity auction also benefits our deserving citizens.”