Comfort: Food for Sharing 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 145 recipes in the book were contributed by the likes of Lauraine Jacobs, Allyson Gofton, Al Brown, Tui Flower, Kathy Paterson, Ray McVinnie, Peta Mathias, Ginny Grant, Catherine Bell, Laura Faire 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.