All smiles as Starlight Five Chefs Dinner returns

This year already has seen the return of the iconic Starlight Five Chefs Dinners in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, plus our spectacular Starball in Darwin. All have brought big smiles to the guests - and more importantly to sick kids.

Having been postponed in 2020, guests at Sydney Five Chefs were thrilled to be able to come together at the Four Seasons Hotel to hear inspiring stories and raise vital funds to help 'Power the Smile' for seriously ill children.

And Power the Smile they did; raising enough funds to deliver our hospital programs in Sydney and the Hunter for nearly four months and we granted over 30 life-changing Starlight Wishes!

Kindly hosted by Catriona Rowntree, the event welcomed some of the country's leading chefs: Alex Prichard, Jacqui Challinor, Josh Niland, Luke & Sam Bourke and Troy Rhoades-Brown who created five incredible courses matched with fine wines generously donated by our partners - Keith Tulloch Wine, Lake’s Folly Vineyard, Peacock Hill Vineyard, Scarborough Wine Co., Tyrell's Wines and Moët & Chandon.

After the challenges of the last year, Starlight is needed more than ever to power the smiles for sick kids like Oliver who at just four years old, was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.

Oliver was in constant pain and feared the never-ending tests and needles in hospital. Amid so much sadness, Oliver was given an incredible gift of happiness when he was granted his Starlight Wish to swim like a dolphin! Oliver's family adventure to Queensland gave them time to relax and reconnect and created lasting memories to treasure forever.

At the event, special guest, 17-year-old Chloe kindly shared her Starlight story.

While undergoing gruelling cancer treatment as a teen, Starlight helped Chloe cope with the stress and isolation of hospital. She described the incredible joy she felt when she was granted her Starlight Wish for the puppy she'd always dreamt of.

Chloe said, "Starlight gave me so many reasons to smile during the toughest times. They brought me my puppy Phoenix who brings me so much happiness. Now it's time to help Starlight bring that happiness to other sick children."

Our enormous thanks to Chloe for sharing her inspiring story.

Thanks also to Starlight Ambassador Timomatic for the evening's amazing entertainment and to our Auctioneer Stu Gregor. A special thank you to Spotlight and Vittoria our National Partners, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney for their incredible hospitality and to the dedicated organising committee and all our volunteers. The event couldn't happen without you!

2021 Gala Event Dates:

• StarBall Sydney - 7th August

• StarBall Melbourne- 21st August

• Starlight Five Chefs Dinner Melbourne - 2nd September

• Starlight Five Chefs Dinner Perth - 16th September

Find out more at starlightfivechefs.org.au and starball.com.au.