OzHarvest's CEO CookOff set to ignite events across the country with all-star chef lineup
/Australia's culinary legends Matt Moran, Neil Perry AM, Peter Gilmore, Danielle Alvarez and Mindy Woods are amongst the all-star chefs set to team up with 300 business leaders to support OzHarvest's national mission to deliver more than five million meals for Australians doing it tough.
OzHarvest is calling for CEOs and business leaders to swap the boardroom for the kitchen at this year's CEO CookOff. They'll be shoulder-to-shoulder with 80 of the country's most renowned chefs, a lineup boasting a staggering 100+ chef hats and eight Michelin stars, cooking and serving gourmet meals to 2,000 guests across nine unmissable events in eight states and territories. The mission is to raise awareness and crucial funds for people facing food insecurity.
CEO CookOff will start on October 13th in Perth, with events across the country in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart and Newcastle, before its grand finale in Sydney on November 12th.
“There’s nothing quite like the buzz of chefs and business leaders in the kitchen”
Acclaimed Australian chef and restaurateur, Neil Perry AM, a CEO CookOff mainstay for over a decade, says the electricity never fades. "I'm a long-time supporter of OzHarvest and love this unique event where the tables are turned as business leaders cook and serve the meal themselves. There's nothing quite like the buzz of chefs and business leaders in the kitchen, but the real reason I keep coming back is the incredible experience of cooking for guests who are doing it tough."
OzHarvest CEO CookOff 2025 Sydney, SLAK Flowers CEO Simla Sooboodoo
OzHarvest Founder Ronni Kahn AO said with 3.5 million households in Australia struggling to put food on the table, CEO CookOff will raise both vital funds and awareness of the food security crisis.
"This unique event is a powerful showcase of leadership in action - encouraging the nation's business leaders to step out of their comfort zones, cook alongside world-class chefs and break bread with guests from the charities OzHarvest serves. This is fundraising with heart and leading with purpose. It's where business meets compassion, where networking happens over chopped onions, and where every participant leaves feeling fuller – not just from the incredible food, but from the knowledge that they've been part of something truly special."
OzHarvest’s latest Frontline Report shines a spotlight on the critical gap between food supply and demand, with 350,000+ people seeking food support every month and more than 74,000+ others being turned away. OzHarvest supports 1,500 charities and 70 per cent of them need more food.
Since its inception in 2012, the CEO CookOff®, has raised over $16 million enabling OzHarvest to deliver more than 32 million meals to people in need.
Mindy Woods (L) & AK Ramakrishna (R)
This year’s CEO CookOff in numbers:
300 CEOs and business leaders
80 leading chefs
100+ Chef Hats
8 Michelin Stars
2,000 guests from the charities OzHarvest serves
$2.5 million fundraising target
5 million meals for vulnerable people
9 events across eight cities
Some of the first CEOs to swap the boardroom for the kitchen include; Tasmania Football Club CEO Brendon Gale, Marguerite Fitzgerald of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Committee and Sarah McNamara from Alinta Energy.
"I'm excited to be involved in CEO CookOff - it's a fantastic way to give back to the people who need it most, while raising funds to provide even more meals.
"Working in sport, and in particular footy, has certainly given me many pressure cooker moments, but none of that might prepare me for trying to impress some of the top chefs in the world!" Brendon Gale said.
“None of that might prepare me for trying to impress some of the top chefs in the world”
CEO CookOff events will be held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart and Newcastle. Every dollar raised helps OzHarvest deliver two meals, creating direct, measurable impact for participating companies.
Full list of chefs and event details on the website. Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. Leaders can sign up now ceocookoff.com.au
To sign up to participate in CEO CookOff, nominate a leader to take part, or to donate go to www.ceocookoff.com.au
