Pearls of Wisdom: Powerhouse Late X Vivid Ideas

Alex Herbert, the chef behind the former Surry Hills institution Bird Cow Fish, curates a free night dedicated to unpacking what food tells us about ourselves and exploring how both First Nations people and migrant communities have shaped Australia’s culinary landscape.

Hear first-hand from Australia’s leading chefs, food writers and creatives in a fun and fascinating night of talks and food. Find the full program below, featuring ABC _presenter Jennifer Wong, writer Benjamin Law, Cornersmith Café and Cooking School co-founder Alex Elliot-Howery, _Heartbake author Charlotte Ree and many more. 

Plus, fresh oysters from the Sydney Oyster Girls, fresher cocktails from Trolley’d Bar, live music from the Lauren White Jazz Band and a Bookstall from Food and Words founder Barbara Sweeney selling out-of-print and classic cookbooks. 

Expect pearls of wisdom on plenty of topics, from regional Chinese restaurants to oysters, climate change to soul food, sustainability and food surplus versus waste to the rise of native ingredients. Each talk will also be live-illustrated by artist Gavin Blake.

And hear from leading creatives and artists behind food photography, cookbook designs and creating vessels for eating and drinking with Creating Connections to Food, a series of pre-recorded interviews playing through the night and moderated by Julie Gibbs (Food Illustration), Mags King (Photography) and Eva Cernis- Ryl (Vessels for Food and Drink). Featured creatives include Sam Gordon, Jason Roberts, Rebecca Darling, Mark Best, Nikki To, Jason Loucas, Evi O, Daniel New and Gem Leslie, pairing their words with images of their work.

This event is part of a series of free_ Powerhouse Late x Vivid Idea_s nights exploring the role of creativity in community and connection. 

VOICES on FOOD

5.15pm – 6.15pm – Cookbook Love  - Barbara Sweeney & Charlotte Ree 

6.45pm – 7.30pm – Migrant Voices on Food  - Farah Celjo, Tyree Barnette & Jennifer Wong

8pm – 8.45pm – Pearls of Wisdom  - Joanna Savill

8.15pm – 9pm –Plated - Savva Savas & Benjamin Law

Talks – Theatrette

5.45pm – 6.30pm – Considering the Oyster -  Gary Rodely, Corey Costelloe & John Susman 

7.15pm – 8pm – Surplus and Creativity - Jez Wick, Alex Elliot-Howery, Jacqui Newling, & Alana Mann.

And music, interviews, oysters and cocktails run throughout the night.