The Big Ball
Hotel Arts Calgary
February 26, 2027
Bringing our community together for better health
This year is The Biggest Ball yet. We’re bringing Calgary together to support surgical innovation with Calgary Health Foundation for a night to remember. This year we’ll unite the culinary and philanthropic scene for life-changing healthcare, and the best party of the year.
Where
Hotel Arts
119 12 Ave SW
When
February 26, 2027
7pm – Late
Dress
Black Tie
Bring your best
Supporting Calgary Health Foundation
The Big Ball is a celebration of community, bringing people together to support better health for everyone. Through this annual event, we are proud to champion Calgary Health Foundation, a community-based charity dedicated to advancing care, wellness, and research across our city.
Calgary Health Foundation invests in opportunities that strengthen healthcare across the entire system, helping ensure patients and families have access to the innovative care they need, when they need it most.
Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, and donation made helps create a lasting impact—supporting healthier communities today and for generations to come, while carrying forward the spirit of generosity that has defined The Big Ball since its inception.
Our 2027 Co-Chairs
Together, Liz and Ellen bring a wealth of expertise, enthusiasm and energy to the event, helping make The Big Ball another unforgettable evening in support of Calgary Health Foundation.
Liz Middleton
Liz is a restaurant writer for Avenue Magazine and serves as Sub-Chair, Programming for Taste of Stampede. She is also currently a board director for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Calgary International Film Festival.
Born in Vietnam and holding dual American and Canadian citizenship, Elizabeth has lived in seven countries and worked across North America, Australia, and West Africa. Her global perspective and passion for food, travel, and culture have given her a unique lens on connecting culinary experiences, community, and the arts.
Ellen Parker
Ellen is the founder and CEO of Parker PR and Parker Media. She is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and active community leader with 25 years of professional experience in communications.
Recognized with the Top 40 Under 40, the Lieutenant Governor’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Mayor’s Excellence Award and MRU’s Alumni of the Year Award, Ellen brings over two decades of experience and accolades to the profession and to her team. Her career spans work in Manhattan with celebrities, businesses, hotels and restaurants and with the Alberta Government, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Calgary Food Bank and more.
The Big Ball Culinary Crown
Where top culinary talent battles for a greater purpose.
For the first time ever, The Big Ball brings together Calgary’s culinary talent for an extraordinary evening of food, friendly competition, and philanthropy in support of surgical innovation through Calgary Health Foundation. Six talented chefs generously volunteer their time and skills to create exceptional culinary experiences, each vying for the coveted title of Culinary Crown champion.
More than a competition, it’s a celebration of culinary creativity, community spirit, and the power of giving back. Every dish served and every moment shared helps support a healthier future for our community.
Chef line-up to be announced soon!
Chef Asher Wilson
Gatsby’s
Originally from Calgary, he discovered his passion for the restaurant industry while working in hospitality during his time in Toronto, where he apprenticed for Dave Mottershall at Loka, an innovative zero-waste restaurant focused on locality and seasonality. He then began training at Toronto’s Michelin Guide Restaurant La Banane, where he rose to chef de cuisine while it ranked among Canada’s top 100 restaurants.
After studying environmental stewardship under Magnus Nilsson at Copenhagen’s MAD Academy and working on an urban farming project in Calgary he returned to the kitchen lead a tight-knit team at Gatsby’s. His tasting menus—offered in six- and nine-course formats, including a vegetarian option—celebrate seasonal Canadian cuisine with French influence, using the finest ingredients from across Western Canada. Engaging directly with guests, Wilson brings a personal, curated approach to fine dining rarely seen in Calgary.
Chef Camilo Kobek
Teatro Restaurant
Camilo Kobek is a seasoned chef with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. Raised on the West Coast, his culinary style draws inspiration from his surroundings, combining Asian and Latin influences with a strong foundation in contemporary cooking.
Throughout his career, Camilo has worked in some of Canada’s notable restaurant kitchens, spending much of his early career in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood at Wildebeest and Pidgin under the guidance of Wesley Young. He later spent two years in Toronto at Alobar Yorkville, now a Michelin-starred restaurant, before returning west to serve as Chef de Cuisine at Calgary’s River Café. Today, he leads the kitchen as Executive Chef at Teatro Restaurant.
Chef
This Restaurant
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See You There
Come for the Ball, Stay for the Night
Make it a night to remember with an unforgettable evening at The Big Ball and a stay at Hotel Arts—the home of the event and Calgary’s destination for contemporary comfort and style.
Enjoy thoughtfully curated cuisine, signature cocktails, and the convenience of being just steps from the festivities. With stylish accommodations and exceptional amenities, Hotel Arts offers the perfect way to complete your Big Ball experience.
Catalyst
Strengthen the pathways that bring people, purpose and impact together. This sponsorship level provides enhanced visibility and demonstrates your commitment to making a lasting difference in our community.
Pulse of the Party
Be the heartbeat behind the celebration. This sponsorship offers prominent brand visibility, meaningful guest engagement opportunities and recognition as a key supporter driving the celebration and mission of the evening forward.
Vital Signs Activation
This sponsorship gives your brand an opportunity to create an exclusive, interactive activation that captures attention, sparks conversation, and connects with guests passionate about Calgary’s food and beverage scene, all while supporting the local community.
Be Part of the Legacy
For nearly two decades, Big Ball has been a gathering place for purpose, generosity, and community spirit — a tradition that has helped raise over $2 million since its inception. As we return to those roots, your sponsorship plays a pivotal role in moving our mission forward. In partnership with Calgary Health Foundation, your support drives research, care advancements, and vital health initiatives that impact lives every day. Together, we can build a legacy of healthier futures.
Thank You to Sponsors and Partners
Catalyst
Pulse of the Party
Vital Signs Activation
In-Kind
Presenting
