Brought to you by Vivid Sydney.
Now in it’s 13th year, Vivid Sydney has always been a feast for the senses.
With three weeks of kaleidoscopic lighting displays, exhilarating live music and deep-dive discussions with thought-leaders from around the world, the festival of creativity, innovation and technology is set to hypnotise Sydneysiders and visitors once again when the sun sets on Friday, May 26.
This year, for the first time ever, there’s a literal feast on offer, with Vivid Food making its debut on the calendar of events in 2023.
The sizzling smörgåsbord of a program sees international culinary greats and homegrown talent paired with some of the most iconic Sydney dining establishments, along with pop-up foodie experiences that show off the state’s unique food culture.
With the opportunity to enjoy never-before-tasted dishes in both high-end dining and street food environments, here are some highlights of what’s on the menu for Vivid Food.
Vivid Chef Series
An exciting new culinary experience, the Vivid Chef Series from June 4 to 17, pairs global chefs with some of Sydney’s most iconic restaurants, chefs and dining locations.
The collaborative dinners are designed to celebrate the diversity and quality of NSW ingredients in bespoke menus that reflect a combined curiosity, creativity and individual heritage.
The dinners span from relaxed to fine dining, with cuisine ranging from contemporary European to African eats.
International chefs meet iconic Sydney eateries as part of Vivid Chef Series. Pictured: Rustic Canyon and Birdie G’s Jeremy Fox (L) and Kiln’s Mitch Orr.
Kiln’s Mitch Orr teams up with LA’s award-winning Jeremy Fox (of Rustic Canyon and Birdie G’s) for dinners inspired by Jeremy’s eastern European roots and Mitch’s east Asian ‘Italian-ish’ cookery, championing the art of simplicity and hyper-seasonality.
One of London’s hottest chefs, Jackson Boxer, meets Hussein Sarhan of two-hatted Fred’s for future-gazing dinners showcasing and celebrating Australia’s native produce, while Rishi Naleendra of two Michelin-starred Cloudstreet in Singapore collaborates with his former mentor Brent Savage at Yellow for a cutting-edge approach to plant-based cuisine.
Prateek Sadhu of award-winning Mumbai restaurant Masque partners with acclaimed Sydney-based chef Nelly Robinson of Nel for a series of enthralling dinners celebrating childhood culinary memories and nostalgia that features influences from around the world.
For a menu spanning three continents, distinct cultures and flavours, Mmabatho Molefe, a vanguard of Zulu and Nguni cuisine, showcases her sensational cookery with the Head Chef of the highly anticipated Bar Morris.
Tickets for all Vivid Chef Series events are on sale now from vividsydney.com/chefseries.
Vivid Fire Kitchen
Vivid Fire Kitchen is set alongside Vivid House and is full of flame-fuelled festivities and eats.
Set alongside the immersive Vivid House, Vivid Fire Kitchen brings together a collection of Sydney’s hottest dining concepts, a stacked line-up of local and internationally acclaimed pitmasters, curated drinks and fire-inspired cocktails for three weeks of flame-fuelled festivities.
Grab a spot by the fire to catch demos from three-hatted Firedoor’s Lennox Hastie, Burnt Ends in Singapore’s Dave Pynt and more, or watch World BBQ Champion Sterling Smith and Texas-based celebrity pitmaster Jess Pryles take to the coals.
There is also an impressive street-food line-up, alongside signature cocktails (like the Fire + Ice, topped with a flaming marshmallow and served in an edible ice cup), wine, beer and gin tasting and desserts at the hot chocolate and marshmallow bar to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Vivid Fire Kitchen kicks off from 6pm til 11pm every night from May 26 to June 17 as part of Vivid Sydney at The Cutaway, Barangaroo.
Vivid Residence
Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm meets Matt Moran’s Aria for a series of dinners and lunches as part of Vivid Residence.
For two weeks, Eleven Madison Park (which boasts three Michelin stars, was crowned No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2017 and resulted in EMP entering the exclusive ‘Best of the Best’ group), takes over the two-hatted Aria Sydney for an unparalleled series of dinners and lunches.
A co-creation between Daniel Humm, Matt Moran and Thomas Gorringe and their respective teams, the bespoke menu is imbued with a visionary plant-based approach to fine dining with diverse flavours, processes and ingredients capturing the essence of New South Wales.
The event is currently sold out, but you can join the waitlist here.
See the whole Vivid Food program, including world-class dining events like Vivid Chef Series, Vivid Fire Kitchen, Chefs on the Harbour, Vivid Sydney Dinner and more, here.
Brought to you by Vivid Sydney.
