The OzHarvest CEO CookOff aims to bring the community together for a good cause. Photo: Jon Bader.
OzHarvest is bringing its CEO CookOff to Canberra for the first time, putting local business leaders under the pump alongside award-winning chefs to create a feast to raise funds for a good cause.
Since 2012, the OzHarvest CEO CookOff has helped deliver more than 16 million meals to those in need.
One of this year’s cook-off participants, Commandant Brigadier Lara Troy from the Australian Defence College, said parts of her role had some parallels with the event.
“I’ve worked around Australia and internationally with Defence and we often work with people needing support and additional services,” she told Region.
“I think what is really critical here is that we’re not always aware of what’s happening in our own community.
“Looking at OzHarvest I could see there was a real need in the local community and I figured this was an opportunity for me to get my hands dirty and help out.”
Chef Matt Moran and OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn AO. Moran’s restaurant Compa will host the cook-off in Canberra. Photo: John Puah.
Brigadier Troy will be cooking alongside award-winning Indigenous chef Mindy Woods from Byron Bay and local chef AK Ramakrishna from AK’s Diner.
Together with the other participating leaders, they’ll cook up a gourmet feast in the kitchen of Matt Moran’s Compa Ristorante, before sitting down to dine with participants of OzHarvest charity partners.
“With Australia facing a growing food crisis – over 3.4 million households are struggling to put food on the table – supporting our cause is more important than ever,” OzHarvest founder Ronni Kahn AO said.
“CEO CookOff is a unique experience where leaders step out of their comfort zones to cook alongside world-class chefs and break bread with special guests from the charities OzHarvest serves,” Ms Kahn said.
“The magic of this event is when you sit down, share a meal and have a conversation with someone, knowing you’re helping put food on their table – it has a profound impact.”
CEOs, celebrity chefs and charity partners will share a meal together as part of the cook-off. Photo: Jon Bader.
The event’s reverse gala format sees the CEOs cooking for, serving and eating with those who benefit from OzHarvest charities, giving leaders the opportunity to see the impact they can have in person.
Other participating leaders include Royal National Capital Agricultural Society CEO Adelina La Vita, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia national executive director Gerard Benedet and CEO of Thoroughbred Park Darren Pearce.
“We love helping those in need in our community and we love OzHarvest and their mission to feed those doing it tough,” Mr Pearce told Region.
“I am excited to participate in the CEO CookOff this year, to give back to our community, and to connect with like-minded leaders in Canberra.”
Brigadier Troy hopes her cooking endeavours will encourage Canberrans to donate to OzHarvest; every dollar contributes two meals to someone in need.
On the day, she says it’s about connecting with the community.
“I‘m looking forward to seeing the smiles and laughter, and the community who get to share that. And of course making a great meal alongside the chefs and other CEOs,” she said.
“Although I’ve been told my knife skills need some work, so AK and Mindy will have to supervise me!”
The Canberra CEO CookOff will take place on 13 October.
Find out more about the cook-off and make a donation.
