Since its first iteration in 2012, OzHarvest’s CEO Cookoff has raised more than $16 million dollars for the food charity’s vital mission to feed hungry Australians.
This year, West Australian business and community leaders finally get their chance to be part of the event when the CEO Cookoff makes its Perth debut.
Held at Perth City Farm on October 16, the event invites West Australians to roll up their sleeves and, working alongside OzHarvest ambassadors and food personalities Miguel Maestre and Colin Fassnidge, transform rescued food into meals for vulnerable members of the community.
To register your interest and find out more about qualifying requirements (participants are required to raise $5000 to be part of the event) visit ceocookoff.com.au.
Stepping up the Plate(ful)
Plateful Perth, the City of Perth’s month-long celebration of food and drink, is in full swing and sees dining rooms, bars and pubs hosting a variety of specials and one-off events in the name of good eating and living.
More than 100 venues are getting involved in this year’s program that covers all price points and tastes. Highlights from this first week include Fleur’s Gallic celebration, Oui, Paris! (August 7); aperitivo hour at Santini at the QT Hotel (daily); plus a lunchtime banh mi deal at Le Vietnam that includes an iced tea and pork puff pastry (daily).
This is also the first year that hotels are getting in on the action with all-in dining and accommodation packages being offered. Visit platefulperth.com.au for more details.
Alberta’s pops up at Si Paradiso
Kirsty Marchant and Ben Ing, the Noma alum behind Busselton’s dearly departed Alberta’s, are resurrecting their rootsy brand of hospitality – plus a few carefully nurtured ferments – to the big smoke for a one-day takeover at Beaufort Street’s Si Paradiso this Sunday (August 10).
Unsurprisingly, table bookings for lunch and dinner disappeared in a flash, but walk-ins will be available on the day. Don’t miss out.
WA hosting national conversation on farming, food and community
This September sees the southwest town of Bridgetown host Grounded 2025, a national conversation on farming, food and community. Founded by farmer, food advocate and former Sydney Morning Herald food critic Matthew Evans, Grounded is taking over Galloway Springs Farm from September 19 to 20 and will bring together farmers, educators, researchers, chefs and consumers for two days of honest conversation, practical workshops, and community connection.
“Grounded is about real stories, real people, and real solutions,” Evans says. “It’s a chance to gather on-country and talk about what really matters – from soil health and climate to big-picture systems thinking and community resilience.”
The 2025 edition will include sessions on biodiversity, waste, nutritional density and mental health led by national and international speakers. Long-table meals, local wines, book signings and music will feature in the program.
Grounded is supported by RegenWA and will run as a satellite event of the Regenerative Food Systems Conference that will also be running in Perth (September 17 to 18) earlier that week. Visit groundedaustralia.com.au for more details.
Vale, Kurt Sampson
The Australian hospitality family is mourning the passing of New Zealand-born chef Kurt Sampson in Dunedin last week. While eaters in Western Australia will remember Sampson from his time at key restaurants such as 44 King Street, Pata Negra and Propeller, he had a similarly illustrious career in Melbourne where his knowing way with Levantine and Moorish flavours at MoMo, O’Connells and Harveys – among other influential dining rooms – endeared him to Victorian diners too.
Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.
Max Veenhuyzen is a journalist and photographer who has been writing about food, drink and travel for national and international publications for more than 20 years. He reviews restaurants for the Good Food Guide.
