Halcy-Con 2025 was already shaping up to be special, but there was one event on the schedule that everyone was buzzing about: The Chef Andrew Experience.

A four-course, Starcruiser-inspired dinner, hosted by the galaxy’s “only ten-star chef” himself? It sounded like pure Halcyon magic brought back to life. I knew I wanted to be there.

The problem?
I didn’t get a ticket.

My husband was not interested and the tickets sold out fast, faster than I expected, and I was honestly crushed. It felt a little like watching a port window close on one more piece of the Starcruiser I never thought I’d get back. I tried to be grateful just to be at Halcy-Con and told myself, “It’s okay, you’ll hear about it from friends, you can live through their photos…”

But the disappointment was definitely there in the background. The FOMO was real!

The Standby Surprise

Fast forward to Halcy-Con weekend.

In the middle of all the panels, vendors, and emotional reunions, word started to spread: standby tickets had opened up for The Chef Andrew Experience.

I almost didn’t believe it at first. After resigning myself to missing out, suddenly there was a sliver of hope. I hustled over to check, heart pounding just a little, fully prepared to be told “sorry, all full.”

Instead, After waiting for all those with tickets to check in I heard the words I’d been secretly hoping for:

“We’ve got a standby spot available.”

Just like that, the door that had shut weeks ago quietly creaked open again, and I stepped through it. Getting that standby ticket felt like a little bit of Starcruiser magic in real life: unexpected, emotional, and perfectly timed. And while my husband was still not interested he was more then supportive that I get to be part of the exepreince, and as an added bonus I get to enjoy it with my best friend.

Arriving at The Chef Andrew Experience

The dinner was held at the Halcy-Con host hotel, and the moment I arrived, it felt like I’d walked into a little off-ship extension of the Halcyon community.

There were people bounding, people in subtle in-universe outfits, people who had sailed once, twice, or so many times they’d lost track. Conversations flowed about favorite memories, beloved characters, and “do you remember when…” moments from voyages long gone.

Even before we sat down to eat, the room had that same warm, slightly electric feeling the Atrium used to have before dinner service: expectation, excitement, and a deep sense of being among “your people.”

The fact that I almost didn’t get to be there made me appreciate it even more. Every moment felt like a gift. I could not believe I was there and I could not stop smiling.

Chef Andrew Back in Our Galaxy

If you ever ate aboard the Galactic Starcruiser, you know: the food was not an afterthought. It was an experience.

Seeing Chef Andrew back in action, hosting this special dinner, felt like reconnecting with a core piece of that magic. He wasn’t just sending food out from behind the scenes; he was present, sharing stories, introducing courses, and bringing the same playful, imaginative spirit that made the Halcyon menus so unforgettable.

The dinner wasn’t just “inspired by” Star Wars, it carried that same clever, immersive energy. Each course felt like a nod to something we loved: flavors that were familiar but presented in surprising ways, plates that made you smile before you even took a bite, and little touches that whispered, “you remember this, don’t you?”

A Four-Course Journey Through Memory

The meal unfolded in four courses, each one feeling like its own little chapter.

There was a rhythm to it:
– The reveal of the dish.
– The collective “ooooh” from the room.
– The first bites and the low murmur of delighted reactions.

It wasn’t about copying any one Halcyon dish exactly, but about capturing that feeling of discovery and joy. The food was genuinely good, well-seasoned, thoughtful, comforting, but it was the context that made it unforgettable.

We weren’t just eating.
We were remembering.

Every course felt like a toast to the voyages we’d taken, the characters we’d loved, and the nights we’d spent under in the Crown of Corellia. And the finale was the most amazing part of all, there was such great showmanship and in the end a bit of the Force which brought us one more happy treat, a baggie with cookies which contained one amazing, delicious and glorious Ube cookie, just like the one that was served on the Halcyon.

Community, Charity, and Comfort

One of the most beautiful things about The Chef Andrew Experience at Halcy-Con was that it wasn’t only about nostalgia or good food. It was also about giving back.

Proceeds from the dinner supported Give Kids The World and the incredible work they do for children with critical illnesses and their families. Knowing that our night of shared joy and remembrance was also doing real-world good gave the whole evening an extra layer of meaning.

Around the room, people were reconnecting:

• Friends from past voyages hugging like no time had passed.
• New friendships forming over shared memories and favorite Halcyon stories.
• People quietly tearing up, laughing, and healing together a little bit more.

It felt like community in the truest sense—brought together by something we lost, but determined to keep its spirit alive.

A Night I Almost Missed

By the time dessert came and went, I realized how close I’d come to missing one of the most meaningful parts of Halcy-Con 2025.

If those standby tickets hadn’t opened up, I would have spent the weekend hearing about the Chef Andrew dinner instead of feeling it for myself. And while I would’ve been happy for everyone who went, I would’ve carried that quiet little sting of “I wish I’d been there.”

Instead, I got to sit in that room.
I got to taste those dishes.
I got to laugh, reminisce, and feel that Halcyon magic spark to life again.

And all because a few extra seats opened up, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Walking out of The Chef Andrew Experience, I felt full in more ways than one—full of good food, good memories, and a renewed appreciation for this incredible community.

I didn’t think I’d get to experience Chef Andrew’s dinner.
But I did.
And it ended up being one of the brightest stars in an already unforgettable Halcy-Con.

Sometimes, the best parts of the journey are the ones you almost miss.