The two-day event, held in September, invites guests to connect with Aboriginal culture through food, music, art and storytelling.
A powerful celebration of First Nations culture and native Australian ingredients will take centre stage on 27 and 28 September with the launch of the inaugural Australian Native Food Festival, presented by Indigiearth and hosted at Sydney’s Carriageworks.
Spearheaded by Ngemba Weilwan woman and Indigiearth founder, CEO and executive chef Sharon Winsor, the first–of–its–kind festival will showcase some of the country’s leading Indigenous chefs, businesses and creatives, offering an immersive journey into the world of bushfoods and First Nations culture.
Indigiearth is a fully Aboriginal-owned and operated Native food and hospitality business, producing premium Native foods, beverages, ingredients and botanicals crafted from ethically sourced and sustainably harvested Australian ingredients.
The Australian Native Food Festival will offer a rich and immersive program celebrating Aboriginal culture through food, education and performance. Across the two-day event, visitors can attend live cooking demonstrations by celebrated chefs, including Ben Shewry, Kylie Kwong and native grains expert Kerrie Saunders. They can also browse an Indigiearth pop-up cafe, market stalls from Indigenous-owned and operated native ingredient producers, and take part in bushfood masterclasses.
The festival will also offer inspiring discussions exploring the future of native foods and Indigenous food sovereignty, featuring trailblazers such as Raylene Brown (Kungkas Can Cook), Ronni Kahn (OzHarvest), Pat Torres (Mayi Harvests), Jenny Khan (The Unexpected Guest) and Aunty Beryl (Yaama Barrgay).
Cultural performances, live music and storytelling will run throughout the event, creating an atmosphere of connection and celebration. More than 18 Indigenous-owned brands will be showcased, including IndigiGrow, Jala Jala Treats, Jiwah by Clarence Slockee, Kakadu Kitchen and many more.
“This festival is more than a showcase; it’s a celebration of Country, culture and connection through food,” Winsor said. “My connection to Native foods saved my life. It provided me with a deep cultural anchor and allowed me to overcome adversities with resilience and purpose. We’re sharing the stories of the people who grow, harvest, cook and protect these ancient ingredients with the broader community. It’s about honouring our past while creating a stronger future for native foods and First Nations voices.”
The Australian Native Food Festival is free for general admission. It is proudly supported by Carriageworks, a cultural hub renowned for championing First Nations arts and innovation.
Chef demonstrations are ticketed and will go on sale on 12 August. For the full program and registration details, visit the event page.
Read also: ILF unveils new rebrand celebrating First Nations storytelling, artists and Country
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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