How does CEO CookOff work?
This is a truly unique event where Australia's most talented chefs team up with CEOs, leaders and their teams and come together throughout October to create a night to remember for people in need.
Throughout October, 9 local CEO CookOff events will take place across Australia to offer the chance for CEOs and business leaders to create delicious meals that will be served to guests from the charities we support. Participants get the opportunity to cook alongside top chefs – learning from the best, and to make meals for people in need.
After creating delicious meals, participants serve and dine with guests, learning more about their struggles, making connections and creating a truly memorable night for our guests. For some of our guests, this will be the first time they experience a dignified dining experience.
In the lead up to each CEO CookOff event, we ask fundraisers to get behind our cause and help us raise money to feed people in their local community! This year we have a goal of raising $1 million, that’s 2 million meals for people across the country who are doing it tough.
How do I sign up?
Head to our Events page and search for a local CEO CookOff event in your state. There are a number of different CEO CookOff events taking place throughout October.
Once you select your event, select ‘Sign Up’ and complete your registration. During this process you’ll create a personal fundraising page that you can share with your networks to help you collect donations and reach your personal fundraising goal.
When your registration is complete, it’s time to share your page and raise funds to help feed Australians in need.
On the day of your event, you'll be warmly welcomed by your chef host and Ronni and James from OzHarvest! From there, you’ll be briefed on the meal you'll help create, and guided through the preparation of the dish by the kitchen team – a master class like no other.
When our special guests arrive, you’ll plate up and serve the meals, then take a seat to eat alongside the guests. You'll share a meal, stories, make new friends and hear firsthand how your fundraising makes a real impact.
Who is eligible to participate? Do I need to be a CEO? Do I need to be able to cook?
All CEOs and leaders can take part in CEO CookOff. To help us achieve our goal of raising $1 million, all individuals must commit to raising funds to secure their spot in the kitchen and help feed Australians in need.
You do not need to have CEO in your title, and no prior cooking experience is required.
Is there one central location where CookOff takes place, or different venues?
There are 9 local CEO CookOff events taking place across the country. We have some of the best chefs taking part at events throughout Australia so this is your chance to learn from the top chefs in the country and make meals for people in need. To view all CEO CookOff events, click here.
Does CookOff take place on one day or multiple days?
There are multiple CookOff events taking place throughout October. Each event location will open their doors for one day for fundraisers to cook in and special guests from the charities we support to attend and enjoy a delicious meal made with love.
You can find a list of local CEO CookOff events here.
Do I sign up as an individual or do I need a team?
We encourage both individuals and teams to sign up. If you have multiple people taking part from the same company, then creating a company team is a great way to share your collective impact to feed people in need.
Starting with a Team Captain who creates the team page, each team member then joins the team and collects donations to help reach your overall team fundraising target.
If I want to register as a team, how many people do I need?
And can my team members participate at different events in different states?
You can create a team with as many people as you like (from 2 - 50+ team members).
Team members can participate in different states and venues.
Do I need to fundraise?
Absolutely!
Our aim is to raise $1 million dollars, allowing us to deliver 2 million meals! To help us achieve this, we ask all indiviudals to raise funds to secure their spot in the kitchen and help those doing it tough.
Your fundraising literally keeps the wheels turning and allows us to continue to Nourish our Country.
How long can I fundraise for?
As soon as you’ve completed the registration process you can start fundraising. You can continue to fundraise all the way up until 30th November.
Where does the money raised go?
The money you raise stays within your state!
Every $1 = 2 meals and will help OzHarvest:
· Deliver fresh, nourishing food to 1,500 charities across Australia who support people in need. These charities have reported a 77% increase in demand over the past 6 months.
· Ensure people aren't making impossible choices about where their money goes. At the moment, millions of vulnerable Australians are choosing between food or other necessities like rent, medication and school needs.
· Keep perfectly good produce out of landfill and feeding hungry bellies instead. Food waste feeds climate change! We collect food destined for landfill from 2,600 food donors across the country, saving it from ending up in the bin and instead delivering it to charities who support people in need.
What happens on the day of the event?
On the day of your event, you'll be warmly welcomed by your chef host and Ronni and James from OzHarvest! From there, you’ll be briefed on the meal you'll help create, and guided through the preparation of the dish by the kitchen team – it's a master class like no other.
When our special guests arrive, you’ll plate up and serve the meals, then take a seat to eat alongside the guests. You'll share a meal, stories, make new friends and hear firsthand how your fundraising makes a real impact.
Do I know what charity I’ll be cooking for ahead of the event?
Yes! In the lead up to your event we’ll let you know which charity will be attending the event you’re cooking in.
Who decides on the menu and is food supplied on the day?
The menu is specially crafted by our chefs. All ingredients will be provided on the day of the event, so all you have to do is turn up, roll up your sleeves, cook and fundraise!
