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Top chefs unite for Leukaemia UK’s 25th anniversary fundraiser

The culinary extravaganza will take place on 16 September at London's The Dorchester hotel

By Dale Fox

Black and white image of chefs in a kitchen
(Image: Leukaemia UK)

Leukaemia UK’s flagship fundraising event, Who’s Cooking Dinner?, is set to return for its 25th anniversary.

The star-studded culinary extravaganza will once again take place at The Dorchester in London, bringing together some of the nation’s most celebrated chefs for a night of gastronomic delight and charitable giving, on 16 September.

The event’s unique format adds an element of surprise to the evening. Diners won’t know which renowned chef will be preparing their four-course meal until they arrive at the glamorous occasion. This year’s lineup includes culinary heavyweights such as Clare Smyth, Tom Kerridge, Francesco Mazzei, Jeremy Lee, Elliott Grover, and Jean-Philippe Blondet.

Since its inception in 1999, Who’s Cooking Dinner? has raised over £7 million for life-saving blood cancer research. The event was co-founded by restaurant luminaries Chris Corbin OBE and Peter Gordon ONZM, both of whom have personal connections to leukaemia.

Chris Corbin, a trustee of Leukaemia UK, said in a statement: “Twenty-five years ago, Peter and I had an idea to create a fundraiser with a difference. We are so proud of how Who’s Cooking Dinner?has grown and become the event it is today.”

The evening doesn’t end with dessert. A grand auction follows the meal, offering guests the chance to bid on unique experiences, including having celebrity chefs cook in their homes. Previous supporters of the auction have included Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing, and Rick Stein.

Every hour, someone in the UK is diagnosed with leukaemia, with 60,000 people currently living with the disease. Funds raised from “Who’s Cooking Dinner?” go directly to Leukaemia UK, supporting their mission to fund and support lifesaving leukaemia research.

Tom Kerridge, who has participated in the event for the past decade, commented: “Who’s Cooking Dinner? is one of the best charity events in London. It’s fantastic to see the UK’s restaurant industry come together to help raise vital funds for Leukaemia UK in such a fun and creative way.”

Tickets for this exclusive event are now on sale, with options including access to the chefs’ afterparty or an exclusive backstage kitchen tour. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Leukaemia UK website or contact philanthropy@leukaemiauk.org.uk.