The Harbour City will come to life with immersive light, sounds, and taste as Vivid Sydney 2024 is set to descend on the city from 24 May to 15 June 2024. The 14th multi-artform festival will feature global and local light artists, musicians, thought leaders, and food creatives as they embrace and translate Vivid Sydney 2024’s theme, Humanity. It is not a surprise that the role of food as a fundamental part of the human experience receives a spotlight during this year’s programme, Vivid Food.
“Vivid Food captures the essence of our shared humanity through the global language of food. It’s a celebration of how cuisine can mirror the diversity of cultures, while also being a bridge that connects us all,” said Gill Minervini, Vivid Sydney festival director and Vivid food curator. There will be a two-week-long Vivid Residence, stimulating exclusive dinners during the Vivid Chef Series, and a sizzling Vivid Fire Kitchen programme where you can meet and taste the flame-kissed creations from the world’s best pitmasters and barbeque heroes.
Here’s the ultimate Vivid Sydney 2024 Food Guide for your eating pleasures.
Vivid Residence
Manoella Buffara at Ploós
Latin America’s Best Female Chef 2022 Manoella Buffara of Manu Restaurant will showcase her pioneering approach to fine dining for the first time in Australia at Ploós. Find immaculate dishes made from NSW’s best local produce and learn more about her commitment to environmental and social sustainability through two tasting menus. From 24 May to 2 June, savour a seven-course tasting menu (lunch, $320 per person) or a nine-course tasting menu (dinner, $420 per person).
Vivid Chef Series
Find enticing collaboration of the city’s culinary talents with award-winning chefs, hosted at Sydney’s dining destinations. From classic European cuisine to flame-led fine dining, book the Vivid Chef Series to satisfy your discerning appetite.
The Charles Brasserie & Bar x Sally Abé
Billy Hannigan of the city’s hatted restaurant, The Charles, will join forces with Sally Abé of The Pem for three exclusive lunches and dinners on 28 – 30 May. Hannigan’s European-inspired cooking style with Abé’s signature nostalgic British cuisine. Expect memorable sweet treats from pastry chef Rhiann Mead. Lunch is $85 per person and dinner is $150 per person.
AALIA x Ivan Brehm
Join Ivan Brehm of the Michelin-starred Nouri in Singapore and Paul Farag of the two-hatted AALIA for exceptional Four Hands dinners on 11 and 12 June. Savour AALIA’s beloved Middle Eastern cuisine and Nouri’s celebrated globally-inspired cuisine in a menu that celebrates diversity and culinary heritage. Dinner is $200 per person.
Fred’s x Max Coen
Don’t miss four exclusive dinners where Max Coen of London’s Michelin-starred Dorian and Ben Greeno of Fred will collaborate. The dinners will take place at Fred’s from 26 May to 29 May, savour ingredient-driven, wood-fired cuisine a la Coen with Greeno’s farm-to-table and hyper-seasonal cooking. Dinner is $125 per person.
Vivid Fire Kitchen at Vivid Sydney 2024
Located at The Goods Line in Ultimo, the Vivid Fire Kitchen is your chance to check out fire demos and cooking sessions amid entertainment and DJ performances. Proudly using NSW produce, the stellar line-up of chefs will serve up myriads of globally inspired street food fare, be it tender brisket or aromatic satay.
Highlights are Lennox Hastie of two-hatted Firedoor, one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs and culinary ambassadors Christine Manfield; reigning Seafood Champion in the World Food Championships, John McFadden; chef, restaurateur, proud Bundjalung woman and owner of Karkalla restaurant, Mindy Woods; Michelin starred chef of Sweden’s Ekstedt at The Yard, Niklas Ekstedt; Texas-based live fire cook, author, TV personality Jess Pryles; Pitmaster of LA-based My Father’s Barbeque, Shalamar Lane and more. The events are free for all to attend. Food and drink can be purchased on-site.