SecondBite ambassador Silvia Colloca on how to cut down on food waste - Entertaining + Style

Nov 23, 2023

The Cook Like an Italian star is all about making your ingredients work for you.

It takes many hands to tackle a big problem and when it comes to food wastage, we all have a role to play. That includes celebrated chef and tv personality, Silvia Colloca who is a hands-on ambassador for food charity SecondBite.

SecondBite is an organisation that works with growers, manufacturers and retailers to rescue surplus and unsold edible food that would otherwise go to waste. They distribute this food for free, to more than 1,300 charities and not-for-profit organisations across Australia to help feed people in need. Their goal is to end food waste and hunger in Australia with their three-pronged approach, seeing the foodcycle through to the end.

With Christmas rapidly approaching and in the midst of a cost of living crisis, many Australians are understandably thinking about how to stretch their pennies this festive season. For Italian-born Colloca, a commitment to reducing food waste and getting the most out of ingredients is the secret weapon.

“Planning meals is key,” Colloca tells delicious.

“Know what you will be cooking and choose recipes that allow for leftovers to be reused. If you are making stuffing for your turkey, use up the stale bread you already have, for example.

If you are making custard, then think about repurposing the leftover egg whites to create a beautiful festive pavlova!”

This style of cooking is second nature to Colloca, who has proven to be a perfect fit in SecondBite thanks to her Italian heritage. “Italian home cooking is centred around frugality… the cuisine was born out of necessity.”

Rosemary, orange and passionfruit pavlova

Making sure quality food doesn’t go to waste is just part of SecondBite’s mission. They are also committed to rescuing food and delivering it to people in need, to ensure that no Australian goes hungry.

With the SecondBite Coles Liquor and Supermarket Appeals in full swing, now is the time to dig deep and give to the thousands of Australian families facing food insecurity not just at Christmas, but year-round. According to Colloca, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

“Spreading awareness about food wastage in Australia is something I never tire of and I’m so in awe of SecondBite for constantly putting in the work to ensure that the food insecurity so many Australians face each day is something we can all do meaningful things to help with.

Any donation counts, big or small. Even one dollar makes a huge difference!”

Every one dollar you donate to SecondBite, can be used to provide five meals for those in need.

Donate now at your local Coles or Coles Liquor supermarket or online at secondbite.org.