Cookbook helps provide comfort to Starship families

New Zealand’s top chefs and cooks have teamed up to produce a new cookbook in support of Starship Children’s Hospital.

'Comfort: Food for Sharing' is now on sale and is bursting with great meals and baking by the New Zealand Guild of Food Writers.  All royalties from book sales will go towards the rebuild of Starship’s Neuroservices and Medical Specialties wards.  Conditions treated on these wards include brain tumours, metabolic and genetic disorders including Cystic Fibrosis, trauma and suspected child abuse injuries, respiratory illnesses and infectious diseases.

“At the heart of this book is the fine Kiwi tradition of lending a helping hand by cooking a meal for, or giving the gift of food to, someone in need,” says Gretchen Hawkesby, Chair of the Friends of Starship. “In these instances, not only are the meals you cook hugely appreciated by the family in need, but it is also enormously rewarding for you as the cook; you are providing something that is prepared with love, but also has the practical benefit of keeping the family routine ticking over without any more upheaval than is already necessary.”

Comfort includes lots of tasty one-pot meals such as casseroles, pasta dishes, pies, quiches, soups, meatloaves, risottos, paella, curries and oven-bakes, as well as slices, cakes and other baking.

“The recipes in Comfort, whether they are baked goodies, simple soups or fabulous family feasts, have been specially chosen so that they can be prepared ahead, are easily transportable and are totally delicious,” says Lauraine Jacobs, President of New Zealand Guild of Food Writers and editor of Comfort. “The nicest thing any one can do is cook for someone who needs help and support in difficult times. The New Zealand Guild of Food Writers is proud to have supported the Starship Foundation in this wonderful project. And I can guarantee every recipe will be truly appreciated.”

The 145 recipes in the book were contributed by the likes of Jo Seagar, Allyson Gofton, Al Brown, Tui Flower, Mark McDonough, Ray McVinnie, Peta Mathias, Annabelle White, Catherine Bell and many others.  The stunning food and lifestyle photography is by Nick Tresidder, and includes shots of the children of Friends of Starship volunteers and supporters.

“We hope New Zealanders across the country purchase this book and cook meals from it in the knowledge that while it may provide warmth and comfort to their own family and friends, they have also provided comfort to the lives of young children and their families at Starship,” says Gretchen.

To celebrate the new cookbook, a fantastic Friends of Starship foodie event is being held on Sunday 28 November, with guest speakers Lauraine Jacobs and Peta Mathias.  See www.starship.org.nz/events for more information and ticket sales.

Or to purchase the Comfort cookbook for $45, visit www.starship.org.nz/cookbook.