Overview
The newest addition to Sydney's annual blockbuster cultural and arts festival, Vivid Food has just dropped its full program, announcing a slate of events celebrating the best of New South Wales' culinary scene — and pulling together big-name chefs from Sydney, Australia and beyond. As with the previously announced lights, music and talks programs, Vivid Food will run across the duration of the fest between Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17.
"This is a celebration of NSW food culture. If tourists are not coming to NSW for our food, they should be," said Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham.
The lineup is multi-faceted, headlined by a two-week residency from New York chef Daniel Humm at Matt Moran's Aria. Humm, the owner of the three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park, a restaurant that has previously sat at number one on the World's Best 50 Restaurants list, will take over the Aria kitchen between Tuesday, June 6–Saturday, June 17.
Humm and company will be offering a nine-course tasting menu for $550, and a reduced lunch menu for $395. If you want to secure your spot, tickets go on sale on Friday, April 28.
Similarly, international chefs will be taking part in a range of collaborations as part of the Vivid Chef Series. Singapore's Rishi Naleendre (Cloudstreet) is working with boundary-pushing plant-based fine diner Yellow, London's Jackson Boxer (Brunswick House) teaming up with Fred's, and Jeremy Fox (Rustic Canyon and Birdie G's in Los Angeles) cooking up a series of dinners at the Ace Hotel's new sky-high Mitch Orr-led eatery Kiln.
The Vivid Fire Kitchen will be keeping you toasty throughout the winter festival with a selection of the world's best pitmasters including Firedoor's Lennox Hastie, Jess Pryles of Aussie Barbecue Heroes, Dave Pynt of Singapore's Burnt Ends and Byron Bay's Pip Sumback all cooking up a storm at The Cutaway in Barangaroo.
Following a successful debut edition as part of last year's Vivid, the Vivid Sydney Dinner will return to the Ivy Ballroom in 2023. Eddie Perfect will host the night with performances from Montaigne, Julian Belbachir, Christine Anu and Kate Monroe being paired with eats from Merivale Executive Chef Ben Greeno and Danielle Alvarez (ex-Fred's).
Rounding out the program is Chefs on the Harbour, a view-heavy overwater dinner on the luxury superyacht The Jackson with Nel's Nelly Robinson, plus popular chefs Khanh Ong and Mark Olive; Carriagework's Warakirri Dining Experience, at which the founder of Mudgee's Indigiearth Sharon Winsor will take you through a five-course meal celebrating Gadigal ingredients; Mary's Group's one-day HERE NOW food, wine and music festival; and the Vivid Rooftop Experience 32 floors up at Aster Bar.
Aster Bar
Vivid 2023 runs between Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17. Browse the full program at the Vivid website.