If you fancy yourself a dab hand in the kitchen and think you can handle yourself on the pass alongside top chefs such as Matt Moran and Danielle Alvarez, you now have the chance to prove it.

Top tier restaurants across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide such as Bennelong, Cutler & Co and Gerard’s Bistro will transform into food relief hubs for one day as part of OzHarvest’s new fundraiser, The Community CookOff.

It gives would-be MasterChefs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in some of Australia’s best restaurants to help raise money for charity. From May 2-16 these award-winning restaurants will prepare meals for those in need rather than paying customers.

Peter Gilmore is one of the acclaimed chefs involved. “After the impact of the last two years, I can’t think of a better way to come together and cook delicious meals for those in need. I’m looking forward to welcoming CEOs, business leaders and teams into the Bennelong kitchen for OzHarvest’s Community CookOff,” he said.
OzHarvest founder and CEO, Ronni Kahn AO, said the impact of bushfires, drought, floods and COVID-19 has seen demand for food relief hit an all-time high.

“With one in six Australians classed as severely food insecure, more people than ever need our help. After two years without a flagship fundraiser, we’re thrilled to launch The Community CookOff, with the aim of raising $3 million to help get good food to those who need it most,” she said.

The Community CookOff replaces OzHarvest’s former flagship fundraiser, the CEO Cookoff. Rather than a large-scale event, these are more intimate, COVID-safe affairs.

“The philosophy of the CookOff is all about sharing food with dignity and respect and we’re thrilled that some of Australia’s best chefs and restaurants have agreed to transform their fine dining spaces into food relief hubs for one night,” Kahn said.

“This is a unique opportunity to cook alongside your favourite chef and raise valuable funds at the same time.”

Sign up or donate at communitycookoff.com.au.

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