FAQs

About the night

add remove

What is CEO CookOff?

Each year, OzHarvest brings together some of Australia's best chefs and business leaders from across the country. The leaders raise money for OzHarvest's food relief work, then spend a night in the kitchen cooking under the chefs.

The meal they cook is served to guests from OzHarvest's community partners. 

add remove

Who will be there?

Guests from other community organisations like yours, the chefs, the business leaders cooking, OzHarvest staff and volunteers. 

There is sometimes media covering the event. 

add remove

Does a staff member need to attend?

Yes. We require each agency identifies one key contact person for the night. This person will then liaise with OzHarvest on confirmed guest ticket numbers and will attend along with the agency guests on the night.

add remove

What happens if some of our people can no longer attend?

Please notify your OzHarvest contact as soon as possible at with adjusted numbers for your agency, so that spare places can be reallocated.

Is re-entry allowed on the night?

add remove

Yes. Wrist bands handed out at registration on the night will allow guests re-entry into the venue.

add remove

We are a charity that does not receive food deliveries from OzHarvest can we still come?

Email info@ceocookoff.com.au or call OzHarvest on 02 9516 3877 to discuss.

add remove
What actually happens, start to finish?
Guests arrive and are welcomed at the door by OzHarvest volunteers. There's a drink and time to settle in. Everyone sits down, and dinner comes out in courses, cooked by the chefs and the leaders working with them. The cooks come out to serve, then pull up a chair and eat with the tables. There's a short welcome from OzHarvest and some entertainment. The rest is food and conversation.
add remove

What's the dress code?

Come as you are. Some guests dress up because it's a night out, some don't. Both are right.

add remove

What time does it start and finish?

Doors open at 6PM.
Dinner is served from 7.15PM.
The night completes around 9.30PM.
Guests are welcome to leave earlier.
add remove

What if a guest is nervous about coming?

That's common, and completely fine. Let them know it's a relaxed dinner, they'll be sitting with people they know, they can leave whenever they want, and nobody will ask anything of them. If it helps, reach out to your OzHarvest Contact who is happy to speak with them beforehand.
add remove

Is there a quiet space?


Yes. If a guest needs a break from the noise, there's a quiet room and a volunteer can show them to it.

Food & Beverage

What food is being served?

add remove

Each chef will create their own special main course dish using their choice of ingredients which could include poultry, meats, or vegetarian. Meals will be served according to the proximity of the guests to the chefs.

add remove

Is there a vegetarian meal option?

Yes. Please request this when you RSVP.

Is there a specific halal, kosher or coeliac-friendly meal option?

add remove

The vegetarian option will also be halal, kosher and coeliac-friendly. Please advise if you require this meal option for someone in your group upon registration.

add remove

Can I reserve a table/save a seat on the night?

Seating is pre arranged so we can cater for guests dietary, photography and accesibility requirements. 
Please provide us any details of requested seating arrangements and we will do our best to accomodate the request. 

add remove
Will there be alcohol?
No. It's an alcohol-free night. There'll be plenty to drink, including soft drinks, water, tea and coffee.
add remove

Is there anything guests need to bring or do?

No. No tickets, no ID, no money, no forms. Just turn up.

Transport

add remove

 Public Transport 

  • All venues are accessible by Public Transport 
add remove

 Taxi and Ride Share 

  • Taxis and ride share can drop off at the venue.

 Car

add remove
  • Parking is extremely limited. Please advise if you are an agency arriving as a group in a minibus or a coach, and parking will be organised. Otherwise, we advise you to take public transport or look for on street parking nearby.

Accessible Access

add remove

Is the venue wheelchair friendly?

Yes.  All venues are accessible by wheelchair and accessible toilet facilities are available at the event site.

add remove

Car parking 

Limited numbers of accessible parking spaces are available at the venue.

Filming / Photography

Will there be photographers/filming and media present on the night?

add remove

Yes. There is a very good chance guests will be on film/photographed at some point during the night. However, all media are aware they must ask permission before taking close-up individual pictures. 

General signs will be visible throughout the venue outlining that if you do not want to be filmed or photographed at all, to please notify an OzHarvest staff member or volunteer.

Need more information?

OzHarvest
Email: info@ceocookoff.com.au 
Phone: OzHarvest HQ on 02 9516 3877

National Presenting Partner

National Sustainability Partner


BioPak - It doesn't cost the earth

National Accommodation Partner


IHG - Hotels and Resorts