On Monday 15th September, Leukaemia UK’s flagship culinary event ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ will return to the Dorchester in London for another year, with a star-studded line up of the UK’s most talented chefs, ready to raise money for leukaemia research. And with tickets now on sale, you too can grab a seat at the table.
Now in its 26th year, ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ is a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience that sees the toast of the UK’s restaurant scene come together in one kitchen for a night of gastronomic delight and charitable giving, each creating, cooking and serving up a bespoke menu for their own table of 10 guests.
But this is not just any fine dining experience. The twist? Nobody knows who’s cooking their dinner until the night itself.
For one night only, guests will be treated to a unique menu from one of 20 of the UK’s most celebrated chefs. With 13 Michelin stars between them and many recognisable faces, the line-up includes Jonny Bone (Core), Jean Phillipe-Blondet (Alain Ducasse), Francesco Mazzei (Corinthia), Elliott Grover (CUT at 45 Park Lane), Sally Abe (The Bull), Claude Bosi (Bibendum), Adam Smith (Woven) and Martyn Nail (The Dorchester), with more to be announced.
Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on exclusive experiences, as the post-dinner Grand Auction also returns to the glamorous London venue. A selection of incredible chefs are ready to offer themselves up to cook at guests’ homes, unique venues, and other incredible experiences.
Over the years, ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ has welcomed a glittering line-up of culinary talent, including Rick Stein, Clare Smyth, Angela Hartnett and Marcus Wareing.
Co-founded by restaurant luminaries Chris Corbin OBE and Peter Gordon ONZM in 1999, this one-of-a-kind event has raised over £8 million to date, for lifesaving leukaemia research.
Every hour, someone in the UK is diagnosed with leukaemia, with 60,000 people currently living with the disease. And despite medical advances, just half of those diagnosed with leukaemia will survive for longer than five years.
This year Leukaemia UK are celebrating 10 years of the John Goldman Fellowship, supporting the brightest early career researchers to develop bold new ideas and advance leukaemia treatments. All the money raised from ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ will go directly to Leukaemia UK to fund research into better, kinder treatments for leukaemia, to help save and improve more lives.
Francesco Mazzei, who opens a new restaurant at the Corinthia London later this year and is a Leukaemia UK Ambassador said: “I lost my father to leukaemia, so this is a cause that is really close to my heart. Leukaemia UK funds life-changing research that can make a real difference to the lives of those diagnosed with leukaemia.
“It’s fantastic to see the UK’s restaurant scene coming together to raise money for vital leukaemia research. ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ is truly a one-of-a-kind event and I’m proud to have played a part for many years. I’m looking forward to another night of incredible food and fundraising.”
Elliott Grover, Executive Chef at CUT at 45 Park Lane said: “It’s a dream to be asked back to the ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’ kitchen for my third year, to support vital leukaemia research. It’s one of the best charity events in London and I’m also honoured to be on the committee for the first time too. Every dish served tells a powerful story of hope and support.”
Fiona Hazell, Chief Executive of Leukaemia UK said: “For those who receive a leukaemia diagnosis, it has a devastating impact on their lives, and those around them. At Leukaemia UK we believe through the power of research, we can change this. That’s why, ten years ago, we launched the John Goldman Fellowship. Over the last decade, our forty-four Fellows have empowered bold ideas that have transformed into breakthroughs in leukaemia research and treatment.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who supports ‘Who’s Cooking Dinner?’, from the chefs who have generously given up their time to design and cook a unique menu, to everyone who has bought a seat at the table. The money raised from the event will help us find and fund groundbreaking research, such as our John Goldman Fellowships, into kinder and more effective treatments, to stop leukaemia from devastating lives.”
Tickets are now on sale, so book your table while you still can.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/whos-cooking-dinner/ or contact charlotte.holmes@leukaemiauk.org.uk.
