The 2024 Vivid Sydney Food program concluded on a high note, serving more than 2000 meals to people in need thanks to a unique collaboration between Destination NSW, Refettorio OzHarvest and some of Australia’s leading chefs. 

Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere's largest festival of Light, Music, Ideas and Food, took place from 24 May to 15 June. This year's theme, ‘Humanity,’ extended beyond light displays and music performances to encompass a social responsibility initiative – the Our Shared Humanity series.

Our Shared Humanity showcased Sydney's vibrant culinary scene while fostering a spirit of compassion. A series of dinners were held at Refettorio OzHarvest, featuring renowned chefs including Christine Manfield, Darren Robertson, Guillaume Brahimi, Mitch Orr and Peter Gilmore. These culinary talents created unique three-course vegetarian menus using rescued NSW produce.

The Our Shared Humanity series welcomed more than 350 paying guests. Revenue generated from these events funded the preparation and service of more than 2000 nourishing three-course meals for Sydney's vulnerable communities through OzHarvest's lunch services.

Refettorio OzHarvest Event Coordinator Cleo Griffin said: “Together we created a lot of special moments and provided much-needed nourishment and a dignified dining experience for vulnerable people.

“We had so much incredible feedback from everyone involved in this series, including the guest chefs themselves, all our OzHarvest chefs and staff, our amazing dinner guests and of course, our incredible OzHarvest volunteers.”

Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: "Vivid Food 2024 reached new heights both in its unique culinary experiences and by responding to the festival’s theme of Humanity in a new and meaningful way.

“Our Shared Humanity dinners really exemplified the essence of Vivid Food - celebrating NSW chefs and produce and engaging with the wider community by providing meals for the homeless and displaced. 

“Food builds understanding between people and connects us like nothing else can and we are proud that the 2024 Vivid Food program provided many opportunities for this to happen. We look forward to building on this in future years." 

Christine Manfield said: "Being a part of this year’s Vivid Sydney’s food program was a truly vibrant, inclusive and meaningful experience.

“It was a privilege to stand alongside other leading Australian chefs and the fantastic OzHarvest team to highlight the power of community and collaboration. Our vision to spread love at the table as part of the Our Shared Humanity series not only provided an opportunity to plate up some of NSW’s best produce, but it also allowed us to serve thousands of meals to those in need.” 

Peter Gilmore said: “Being part of the OzHarvest dinner series allowed me to showcase the incredible diversity of NSW's produce.

“It was a privilege to create a menu that celebrated the versatility of heirloom vegetables and using locally sourced, rescued ingredients, and the fact you can still create extraordinary dining experiences that also promote a more sustainable future.”

Guillaume Brahimi said: "Vivid Sydney is such an amazing event - I of course love the addition of the food element within the program.

"I didn’t hesitate when asked to collaborate with OzHarvest and the Refettorio chefs for their dinner series. It was a great opportunity to be involved in Vivid Sydney while also to giving back to the community. Each paying guest was “Paying it Forward” for someone vulnerable in the community.

"Life should be full of sharing good food, good company and random acts of kindness.”

Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.