Chefs from around Australia are being invited to strip off all in the name of charity.

Sydney patisserie business Nepean Patisserie has joined forces with Diabetes Australia to create a cheeky calendar that will see chefs shed their whites to raise funds for the cause.

Twelve chefs will be chosen to appear in the 2009 calendar. Each chef will represent a month, be photographed in a “tasteful” scene and share their restaurant name plus their own diabetes-friendly recipe for the month with readers.

Jason Poles of Nepean Patisserie said he decided to create the calendar for charity after one of his own chefs came up with the idea to raise money.

And after witnessing his father suffer from diabetes, the choice of charity was obvious; “I wanted to do something about it and it’s so appropriate for the food industry and chefs to get behind such a great cause,” Poles said.

Poles is keen for chefs around the country to become involved and says that it is especially timely considering July 13-19 is National Diabetes Week. “It’s a time when all of us will be thinking about what we can do to help; and it’s an opportunity for restaurants and chefs to do something fun and worthwhile at the same time.”

Chefs prepared to donate their bodies to such a worth cause can apply via email to info@nepeanpatisserie.com.au. Applicants are asked to give a quick description as to why they want to be involved and attach a full length photograph of themselves. Their restaurant will be asked to donate $1000 to cover the costs of printing and in return will receive coverage alongside their chef’s photograph and on the back page of the calendar. All funds raised will go to Diabetes Australia.

Head to www.nepeanpatisserie.com.au for more information.